Cost of Living in the USA

A move to a different place requires a host of research about your new destination. When that place is a whole different country, this research is required tenfold to figure out whether it’s a good place for you to build a new life. Cost of living can be a huge factor, often overlooked, when considering moving abroad. The United States is no different.

With a wealth of opportunities available for those moving over the pond, the USA has been an incredibly popular choice for many individuals and families starting new lives abroad. But with such a huge distance, it’s important to consider what your everyday life could cost you in your new home. We have created a breakdown of the most important costs to consider when comparing the USA and the UK. Let’s take a look.

What Is The Most Expensive State?

If you’re looking for somewhere more affordable, it’s a good idea to know where to avoid moving to in the United States. A few of the most expensive states include Hawaii, California, Alaska, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington. These are states with large cities or ones that are more desirable to live in. Arkansas, Mississippi and Virginia are some of the more affordable states in terms of cost of living, so these should also be on your list to research.

Average Cost of Living in the USA: National Overview

It is very important to remember that the USA is a massive country, especially when compared to the United Kingdom. Your choice of location will impact the climate, economic opportunities, political climate and cost of living. Therefore, we have chosen a few specific destinations below, but it’s key to research your circumstances before making any decisions.

Here’s what you could expect to pay in typical monthly costs across the country:

Cost of Rent in the USA

• 1-bedroom apartment (city centre): $1,700-$1,800
• 1-bedroom apartment (outside centre): $1,400-$1,500
• 3-bedroom apartment (family-sized): $2,800-$2,900
• 3-bedroom apartment (outside centre): $2,400-$2,500
• Detached or semi-detached house (3–4 bedrooms): $1,850 (depending on location and size)

Food and Groceries

• Monthly grocery shop: $500-$600
• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $12-$39
• Mid-range restaurant (3-course): $50-$100

Transport

• Monthly public transport pass: $35-$130
• Fuel per litre: $0.75-$1.30

Utilities, Internet & Mobile

• For an 85m² apartment: $125-$385 (electric, heating, water, etc.)
• Internet (flat rate): $50-$100
• Mobile phone plan: $30-$100

The size of the country is also important to consider when we are talking about averages. The extortionately high cost of living in New York City is going to inflate the average cost of living across the country, whereas figures in somewhere like Mississippi are bound to be more affordable. 

Cost of Living in New York

Exploding with celebrities, creativity, and nightlife, New York is notorious for being an incredibly expensive place to live. If you’re planning to move to the Big Apple to follow your dreams, or even to experience something unique, you’ll need at least $1,500 to spend on top of rent. Rent and bills drive up living costs, but everyday purchases are also not cheap here. If you’re used to costs in London, however, this could be a less dramatic increase for you and your family.

Housing in New York

If we’re looking at the city, it’s more common that you’ll find apartments to rent than detached or semi-detached houses.

• 1-bedroom apartment (city centre): $3,900-$4,000
• 1-bedroom apartment (outside centre): $2,700-$2,800
• 3-bedroom apartment (family-sized, central): $7,000-$13,000
• House (3–4 bedrooms in suburban areas): $2,000-$9,000

Food and Groceries in New York

New York is home to 8 million people, a mixing pot of hundreds of different cultures and backgrounds. This makes for an incredible food scene, with 25,000 restaurants to choose from, offering cuisines from all over the world. And being in one of the richest countries in the world, you’ll also find groceries from all over the world, too – whatever you need, you’ll find it in a New York store somewhere.

• Monthly grocery bill (1 person): $400+
• Inexpensive restaurant meal: $15-$50
• Coffee: $4-$9
• Mid-range dinner for two: $95-$250

Transport

New York City is a very walkable city, easy to navigate and comparably small when looking at more suburban areas. However, you’ll also find the subway and buses to help you get around. Taxis are also a fairly common method of getting from A to B if you don’t mind paying a little more for the ease of travel!

• Monthly travel pass: $120-$150
• Taxi start fare: $3-$8

Utilities and Internet

• Basic utilities for a flat (electricity, heating, water): $115-$300
• Internet: $50-$100

New York City is an adventure within itself, definitely worth considering as your new home. For 1 person, prices can be a little more affordable, however, families needing more space and more groceries will find New York prices more daunting. 

Cost of Living in Los Angeles

Arguably the entertainment capital of the world, LA is a fun-filled and fantastical place to live. Families and individuals moving here can expect sunny skies, diverse cultures, great services and endless entertainment options. However, similar to New York, LA is known for being a little pricey compared to the national average, particularly when looking at accommodation.

Housing in LA

Housing costs within LA can vary significantly between neighbourhoods. Downtown LA, Santa Monica and other incredibly sought-after areas will drive costs up.

• 1-bedroom apartment (city centre): $2,200–$3,200
• 1-bedroom apartment (outside centre): $1,500–$2,300
• 3-bedroom apartment (city centre): $4,000–$6,000
• House (3–4 bedrooms in surrounding suburbs): $3,500–$7,500+

Food and Groceries

Los Angeles has an amazingly vibrant food scene, with everything from tasty street food to Michelin-star dining. Whatever your budget is, you’ll find what you’re looking for in the streets of LA.

• Monthly groceries (1 person): $250–$350
• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $15–$25
• 3-course meal at a mid-range restaurant: $60–$100
• Coffee: $4–$6

Transport

While it is useful to have access to a private vehicle to access the sprawling city, public transport can be useful for getting around in built-up areas.

• Monthly pass: $100–$130
• Taxi base fare: $3.50, then $2,00 per mile

Utilities and Internet

• Utilities (electricity, heating, water for 85m²): $150–$250
• Internet (flat rate): $50–$70

You might be surprised to pay higher utility bills for air conditioning in Los Angeles due to its warm climate.

Cost of Living in San Francisco

Another popular city for those moving within and from outside the USA is San Francisco. This follows the trend of the above; sought-after cities tend to lie far above the average cost of living for the United States. Home to Silicon Valley, San Fran has attracted huge companies from the tech world, meaning that salaries in the area can be higher. Newcomers not in these industries may find it difficult to adjust to the higher costs, so it’s worth looking into your career opportunities in the city, too.

Housing in San Francisco

Accommodation is by far the highest expense for those living in the city, which can be no problem for those in high-grossing sectors. You may be able to offset these costs in less popular neighbourhoods, but sought-after areas like Mission District, SoMa, and Nob Hill will drive up rental costs.

• 1-bedroom apartment (city centre): $2,800–$4,200
• 1-bedroom apartment (outside centre): $2,200–$2,800
• 3-bedroom apartment (city centre): $5,500–$7,500
• House (3–4 bedrooms in surrounding suburbs): 4,000–$7,500+

Food and Groceries

While you’ll find restaurants and cafes to meet all budgets and tastes, San Francisco is also known for having fairly high grocery costs.

• Monthly groceries (1 person): $300–$450
• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $18–$25
• 3-course meal at a mid-range restaurant: $70–$120
• Coffee: $4–$6

Transport

Like many cities, driving your own vehicle in San Francisco can be stressful and expensive, not only difficult to navigate but also with high parking costs. That’s why many residents choose to get around on foot or by utilising Muni buses, trams (iconic to San Fran), and BART.

• Monthly pass: $81 (for Muni) / $98 (for BART)
• Taxi base fare: $3.50, then $2.75 per mile

Utilities and Internet

The size of your accommodation will impact your utilities dramatically, especially during the colder months.

• Utilities (electricity, heating, water for 85m²): $200–$350
• Internet (flat rate): $60–$90

While these cities are some of the most expensive places to live in the USA, salaries are often higher in these areas to offset the high costs of living. For larger spaces, you might want to explore more rural or suburban parts of the country. While job opportunities are more rife in built-up areas, you might find that commuting makes it worthwhile for a new way of life in the States.

Find out more about the best cities to live in within the USA in our blog.

Figures are accurate as of May 2025.