Cost of Living in United States

Updated: December 01, 2024

If you've ever considered moving to United States, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in United States?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in United States and whether the reported $3417 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $3697.64.

Restaurants

Markets

Transportation

Childcare

Clothing

Rent Per Month

Buy Apartment

Salaries

United States

restaurant Restaurants	Price	World Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	16.0 $
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	65.0 $
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)	8.5 $
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)	5.0 $
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)	6.0 $
Cappuccino (regular)	4.54 $
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)	2.07 $
Water (12 oz small bottle)	1.63 $

store Markets	Price	World Range
Milk (regular), (1 gallon)	0.93 $
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)	2.94 $
Rice (white), (1 lb)	4.07 $
Eggs (regular) (12)	3.17 $
Local Cheese (1 lb)	11.45 $
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)	11.68 $
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)	14.87 $
Apples (1 lb)	4.75 $
Banana (1 lb)	1.6 $
Oranges (1 lb)	4.1 $
Tomato (1 lb)	4.42 $
Potato (1 lb)	2.67 $
Onion (1 lb)	2.68 $
Lettuce (1 head)	1.76 $
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	1.88 $
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)	12.98 $
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)	2.62 $
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)	3.06 $
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)	8.75 $

commute Transportation	Price	World Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	2.5 $
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	70.0 $
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	3.25 $
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)	1.62 $
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	30.0 $
Gasoline (1 gallon)	1.26 $
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)	24000.0 $
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)	22758.02 $

mark_as_unread Utilities (Monthly)	Price	World Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment	174.64 $
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)	0.15 $
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	68.27 $

kitesurfing Sports And Leisure	Price	World Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	37.7 $
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)	17.11 $
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	12.0 $

child_friendly Childcare	Price	World Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child	1141.41 $
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child	16203.58 $

checkroom Clothing And Shoes	Price	World Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)	45.23 $
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)	35.82 $
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)	78.66 $
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes	100.39 $

night_shelter Rent Per Month	Price	World Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	1677.96 $
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	1357.18 $
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	2795.35 $
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	2203.9 $

home Buy Apartment Price	Price	World Range
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre	4528.82 $
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre	2439.34 $

account_balance_wallet Salaries And Financing	Price	World Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)	3697.64 $
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate	5.35 %

Dining Out

The cost of dining varies with the type of establishment. A meal at an affordable restaurant averages around 16.0 USD, while a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant generally costs 65.0 USD.

Groceries

Basic grocery prices are accessible for most essentials. For instance, a gallon of milk costs about 0.93 USD, a loaf of bread 2.94 USD, and a dozen eggs approximately 3.17 USD.

Transportation

Public transport is relatively affordable, with a single trip priced at about 2.5 USD and a monthly pass around 70.0 USD. If you plan to use public transit regularly, these passes offer great value.

Utilities

For an 85 m² apartment, monthly utility bills—including electricity, heating, water, and waste services—average around 174.64 USD.

Sports and Recreation

For those interested in fitness and leisure, a monthly gym membership averages around 37.7 USD, while an hour on a tennis court on weekends costs about 17.11 USD.

Childcare and Education

Families looking for private childcare services will find that a month at a local preschool or kindergarten costs around 1141.41 USD. For international schooling options, annual tuition can reach approximately 16203.58 USD.

Clothing and Footwear

Clothing and shoe prices vary widely. A pair of Levi's 501 jeans, for example, costs about 45.23 USD, and mid-range Nike sneakers are priced around 78.66 USD.

Apartment Rentals

Rental prices depend on location, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging 1677.96 USD per month, while one outside the center costs around 1357.18 USD.

Real Estate for Purchase

If you're considering buying property, prices per square foot vary as well. In central areas, the price per square foot is roughly 4528.82 USD, while in the suburbs, it's closer to 2439.34 USD.

Average Salary and Mortgage Rates

The average monthly net salary here is about 3697.64 USD after taxes, and mortgage interest rates for a 20-year fixed-rate loan average around 5.35% annually.

Warnings & Dangers in United States

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low overall risk, but that risk can change quickly depending on which city or state you visit. Homeland Security oversees terroristic threats on a global scale, the FBI investigates crime on a federal level, and communities are either served by law enforcement locally or county-wide.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

In most cities larger than 20,000 people are going to have public transportation in the form of buses, light rail systems, or trains. There's a strong network of highways across the country. Some highways have tolls, but the majority are toll-free. Rideshares are very popular, with Uber and Lyft dominating the business, while taxis are still available too. Many people find rideshares to be less expensive. Rental cars are widely available. For non-US residents, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you leave your home country. You cannot get an IDP in the U.S. if you are a citizen of another country.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Any larger city or high tourist traffic area will have a higher pickpocket rate. Places like Disney World, beaches, and New York City should be approached with medium risk. The truth is, pickpocketing or purse snatching can happen anywhere. Always carry as little as necessary with you and use concealed pockets for important items like cash, passports, and hotel keys.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Each section of the country has its own risks. All cities or counties also have an Emergency Management Department that lists local risks and safety plans. Tornado season heats up in the Midwest and South in the spring. Hurricane season runs along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastlines from June through October. Wildfire season out West happens in the summer, but wildfires have been growing in intensity and can last well into the fall. Winter brings heavy snow to the northern and northeastern states, but there's not always going to be snow on the ground.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

The risk of being mugged is city-dependent, so review our local reports of cities before you visit. You should know that police in every city will tell you never to fight back against a robber, as it's not worth risking your life over a mobile device, wallet, or personal item.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

Homeland Security and state-wide investigation bureaus protect each state, but some places are at a higher risk. Any large population area is going to get a higher risk. Nearby military bases increase risk as well. Remote areas are at a smaller risk but could also be a hiding place for what's known as "homegrown terrorists." The "See Something, Say Something" motto spans across the country. It encourages people to report any suspicious activity - even something as simple as an abandoned piece of luggage.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The Better Business Bureau is a great resource to find local scams happening in the region or city you plan to visit. Rental scams are a big challenge in tourist areas. In these cases, scammers will steal photos of legitimate properties but falsely advertise that they are for rent. Potential tenants are asked to wire money ahead of time to secure the property. When travelers arrive, there is no rental home available and no way to recoup that lost money. You should also be wary of any deal that seems too good to be true or where you are pressured to make a decision.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women should always proceed with caution when visiting a new location. As exciting as going on holiday is, don't bring high-value items like designer bags or expensive jewelry. It just risks making you a target for a would-be thief. A new trend in nightlife safety involves a woman who feels uncomfortable with the way another patron is treating her to go to the bar and order an "Angel Shot." It's a simple way to tell the bartender you are in a tough situation and need help without alerting the person bothering you.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

Each water utility is required to provide a Consumer Confidence Water Quality Report yearly. Those reports are required to be on the utility website for review. You can also call the Safe Water Hotline 24/7 at 800-426-4791 if you have specific questions about any location's water quality.

Useful Information & Tips

credit_card

Visas

The U.S. State Department has a great "Visa Wizard" that takes you through a series of questions to get you the exact Visa you need for your trip. This can help eliminate guesswork and possibly save you time and money during the process. Some people will qualify for the "Electronic System for Travel Authorization" (ESTA), which is a Visa waiver program.

currency_exchange

Currency

You can only use the U.S. Dollar nationwide, and there aren't places that will accept other currency in 99.9% of the cases. Credit cards are widely accepted and encouraged, as they provide the best theft and fraud protection. ATMs will be found everywhere but come with different fees. Whenever possible, go into a bank to make a transaction and avoid using ATMs at night or in remote areas.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

Each area of the country has different weather patterns. Winters in the South will be milder than winters in Minnesota. When you review each city on our website, you'll see a chart with average temperatures for each time of the year. West of the Rockies, you'll find drier air, which means less humidity but also more risk for dehydration. East of the Rockies, it's going to be more humid and have more potential for severe weather like tornadoes. Always bring plenty of layers, from t-shirts to hoodies, and shoes, from sandals to hiking boots. Some tourist attractions, like caves, will require closed-toed shoes. Bring bug spray and sunscreen for any time of year.

flight_takeoff

Airports

America has more than 5,500 public airports. International Airports are those that have flights outside of the country, but be wary - just having a few flights to Mexico can make an airport "International." The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) oversees airport safety and can break open locks on luggage if there are suspicions about what is inside. Before a non-US resident leaves the airport, they'll have to go through Customs and Border Patrol. Be very serious when you go through this process, and don't make any jokes or try to start random conversations. Just do as you are told and answer questions directly. Each airport should have a place to exchange currency.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

All hospitals and medical centers in the country will require payment, so if you don't have health insurance with U.S. coverage, please buy travel health insurance. It's not worth a $5,000 emergency room bill for stitches from a fall or crutches for a sprained ankle. Severe weather of any kind can not only cause local delays or cancelations but can also have ripple effects across the country. A snowstorm in Denver, for example, can impact flights in all directions since it's such a large hub.

Cost of Living in United States

United States

Restaurants

Markets

Transportation

Utilities (Monthly)

Sports And Leisure

Childcare

Clothing And Shoes

Rent Per Month

Buy Apartment Price

Salaries And Financing