PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES
The United States does not have a single practical cost of living. Rent, health insurance, transport and local taxes can make one city far more expensive than another, even when grocery prices look similar. New York, Honolulu, San Francisco and Boston sit at the expensive end of the market, while many Midwestern and Southern cities have much lower housing costs.
For a newcomer, the budget is shaped by more than food and rent. Life in the United States often involves car ownership, renter’s insurance, healthcare premiums and local sales taxes that are added at checkout rather than included in the shelf price.
AT A GLANCE
- A one-bedroom apartment rents for about $1,645 a month in a city centre and $1,338 outside it.
- Utilities for an 85 m² apartment average about $217 a month before city-specific variations.
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around $20, while a one-way local transport ticket averages $2.40.
- The United States has a high local purchasing-power index, but housing costs vary dramatically by city.
CONTENTS
Food prices in the United States
The table uses current country averages from Numbeo. Local prices change with state taxes, store chain, package size and regional supply. Groceries are generally more expensive in Hawaii, coastal metropolitan areas and dense city centres than in many inland states.
PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES IN 2026
| Product | Price |
| Milk, 1 litre | $1.06 |
| Fresh white bread, 500 g | $3.65 |
| Rice, 1 kg | $4.56 |
| Eggs, 12 | $4.30 |
| Local cheese, 1 kg | $12.99 |
| Chicken fillets, 1 kg | $12.40 |
| Beef, 1 kg | $17.25 |
| Apples, 1 kg | $5.27 |
| Bananas, 1 kg | $1.68 |
| Oranges, 1 kg | $4.41 |
| Tomatoes, 1 kg | $4.92 |
| Potatoes, 1 kg | $2.88 |
| Onions, 1 kg | $3.07 |
| Lettuce, 1 head | $2.26 |
| Water, 1.5-litre bottle | $2.31 |
| Wine, mid-range bottle | $15.00 |
| Local beer, 0.5 litre | $2.08 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 litre | $3.72 |
| Pack of cigarettes | $10.50 |
Housing, transport and services
In the United States, the advertised rent is often only the starting point. Electricity, heating, water, parking, internet, renter’s insurance and waste collection can be billed separately. Outside the largest transit-oriented cities, car ownership is also a normal part of the household budget.
| Goods or service | Price |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | $20.00 |
| Three-course meal for two, mid-range restaurant | $80.00 |
| Fast-food combo meal | $12.00 |
| Local draught beer, 0.5 litre | $6.00 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 litre, restaurant | $8.00 |
| Cappuccino | $5.48 |
| Soft drink, 0.33 litre | $2.71 |
| Water, 0.33 litre, restaurant | $2.14 |
| One-way local transport ticket | $2.40 |
| Monthly local transport pass | $65.00 |
| Taxi start fare | $3.50 |
| Taxi, 1 km | $1.86 |
| Taxi waiting time, 1 hour | $30.00 |
| Petrol, 1 litre | $1.05 |
| Utilities for an 85 m² apartment, monthly | $217.45 |
| Mobile plan, monthly | $61.96 |
| Home internet, monthly | $73.50 |
| Fitness-club membership, monthly | $45.25 |
| Tennis-court rental, 1 hour | $22.80 |
| Cinema ticket | $15.00 |
| Preschool, full day, monthly | $1,464.03 |
| International primary school, yearly | $25,485.01 |
| Jeans, mid-range brand | $53.77 |
| Summer dress, chain store | $43.01 |
| Mid-range running shoes | $93.32 |
| Men’s leather business shoes | $115.52 |
| One-bedroom flat, city centre, monthly | $1,644.99 |
| One-bedroom flat, outside centre, monthly | $1,337.79 |
| Three-bedroom flat, city centre, monthly | $2,658.58 |
| Three-bedroom flat, outside centre, monthly | $2,200.99 |
| Apartment purchase price, city centre, per m² | $3,311.02 |
| Apartment purchase price, outside centre, per m² | $2,628.98 |
Personal care and household purchases
Numbeo does not collect prices for toiletries or household supplies. The following ranges are based on current offers at major US supermarkets, pharmacies and personal-care retailers. State and local sales taxes are often added at checkout.
| Item or service | Price |
| Men’s haircut | $25–45 |
| Women’s haircut | $45–90 |
| Toothpaste, 75–100 ml | $3–7 |
| Shampoo, 350–500 ml | $5–12 |
| Hair conditioner, 350–500 ml | $5–12 |
| Deodorant | $4–9 |
| Shower gel | $4–9 |
| Liquid hand soap | $3–7 |
| Toilet paper, 8–12 rolls | $8–15 |
| Laundry detergent or capsules | $12–25 |
| Dishwashing liquid, 500–700 ml | $3–6 |
| Multipurpose cleaning spray | $4–8 |
| Disposable razors | $6–14 |
| Basic over-the-counter pain relief, 20 tablets | $6–14 |
How much money is needed to live in the US?
The first month after arrival is usually more expensive than a normal month because rental deposits, transport, furniture and insurance can be due at once. The savings calculator can help set a target that includes those upfront payments rather than only regular monthly expenses.
| Household | Monthly budget | Typical assumptions |
| One person sharing accommodation | $1,800–2,600 | Room rent, groceries, transport or a car, phone, insurance and essential spending |
| One person renting alone | $2,800–4,200 | One-bedroom flat, utilities, food, transport, insurance and modest leisure spending |
| Couple without children | $4,000–5,800 | Rental housing, utilities, food, transport and health-insurance costs |
| Family with one child | $5,800–8,500 | Family housing, food, transport, healthcare, child-related spending and possible childcare |
The relevant figure in an offer is the amount left after federal, state and local taxes, as well as payroll deductions. The net salary calculator gives a more useful starting point for matching earnings to a local budget.
Costs by city and comparison with other countries
New York is Numbeo’s reference city with an index of 100. Honolulu exceeds it on general living costs, while San Francisco, Boston and Los Angeles remain expensive because of both housing and everyday services. Houston offers a very different cost structure, with lower rent but heavier reliance on a car.
| City | Cost of living | Rent | Cost incl. rent | Local purchasing power |
| New York | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 |
| Honolulu | 105.39 | 61.09 | 84.82 | 92.83 |
| San Francisco | 89.24 | 74.64 | 82.46 | 154.67 |
| Boston | 90.25 | 71.84 | 81.70 | 137.83 |
| Los Angeles | 86.14 | 66.59 | 77.06 | 100.58 |
| Chicago | 74.96 | 51.72 | 64.17 | 142.96 |
| Houston | 63.39 | 37.52 | 51.38 | 162.81 |
NOTE
Numbeo indexes are relative measures using New York City as the benchmark of 100. The Cost of Living Index covers groceries, restaurants, transport and services without rent. The Rent Index compares typical rents, while Cost of Living Plus Rent combines both. Local Purchasing Power compares average net pay with a typical consumer basket: a higher figure indicates stronger purchasing power.
| Country | Cost of living | Rent | Cost incl. rent | Local purchasing power |
| United States | 68.77 | 35.42 | 53.40 | 160.50 |
| Canada | 62.98 | 31.50 | 48.90 | 119.40 |
| Australia | 67.90 | 33.70 | 52.70 | 137.30 |
| United Kingdom | 67.76 | 32.10 | 51.90 | 122.60 |
| Germany | 68.69 | 24.60 | 49.00 | 138.30 |
What changed in prices over the past year?
The latest published Bureau of Labor Statistics figures showed annual US consumer-price inflation of 3.4% in August 2026. The all-items index rose 0.4% during that month, with energy and petrol among the factors pushing up household costs.
Housing and childcare remain the most difficult expenses to standardise. A private full-day preschool costs more than $1,400 a month on average, while rents differ sharply across metropolitan areas. A city that looks affordable on a national grocery-price comparison may still require a much larger family budget because of rent, insurance and transport.
Relocation plans need to account for the immigration route, work authorisation and the funds required before employment begins. The legal routes in the United States immigration guide determine whether a move can be financed through work, study, family sponsorship or investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does one person need per month to live in the United States?
A person sharing accommodation in an affordable city can generally budget $1,800–2,600 a month. Renting alone, owning a car and paying for insurance can raise the realistic budget to $2,800–4,200 or more.
Which US cities are the most expensive?
Honolulu, New York, San Francisco, Boston, Washington and San Diego are among the highest-cost cities. Housing is the main reason their total budgets are so high.
How much does rent cost in the United States?
The national average for a one-bedroom apartment is about $1,645 in a city centre and $1,338 outside it. Coastal metropolitan areas can be far above those figures.
Why can the checkout total be higher than the displayed price?
Sales tax is commonly added at checkout rather than included in shelf prices. The rate depends on the state, county and city.
Sources
- Numbeo — US prices, cost-of-living data and comparative indexes.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Price Index.
- US supermarket, pharmacy and personal-care retail prices.
- US Census Bureau — housing and household context.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of WageCentre, with a degree in finance and 15+ years of professional experience. He writes about salaries, taxes, labour markets, immigration and financial planning for relocation.
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