Cost of Living in United States
The cost of living in the United States is generally high but varies dramatically depending on the specific state and city. While urban hubs command premium prices for housing and services, rural and suburban areas typically offer more moderate expenses for a single person.
Overview text is model-generated; see the note below.
Popular cities in United States: New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco
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Monthly Cost Estimate
excluding rent
including 1-bedroom rent
Single person in United States. Totals are the sum of the category ranges below (low ends added together, high ends added together), so a real budget usually falls somewhere in between.
Cost Breakdown by Category
Housing & Rent
$1,100 – $2,600
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment, ranging from rural areas to major urban centers.
Food & Groceries
$400 – $750
Monthly grocery expenses plus occasional meals at mid-range restaurants.
Transportation
$150 – $450
Costs for public transit passes, fuel, and vehicle maintenance or rideshares.
Utilities
$150 – $450
Basic utilities including electricity, heating, water, and high-speed internet.
Healthcare
$250 – $650
Monthly health insurance premiums and typical out-of-pocket medical costs.
Entertainment
$150 – $400
Gym memberships, movie tickets, and leisure activities.
Build your own monthly budget
Starts at the midpoint of each estimate for United States. Type your own amounts to see your total and annual figure. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
Estimate: $1,100 – $2,600
Estimate: $400 – $750
Estimate: $150 – $450
Estimate: $150 – $450
Estimate: $250 – $650
Estimate: $150 – $400
Yearly: $3,750 × 12 = $45,000. Excludes taxes, debt payments, savings, childcare, education, car ownership and one-off costs such as deposits or moving.
New to ranges? Read how to turn these estimates into a personal budget.
Comfortable Living
Estimated monthly spending for a comfortable lifestyle in United States, with regular dining out and leisure:
Including rent • Single person • Excludes income tax and savings • A separate model estimate, not derived from the category totals above
Frequently Asked Questions about United States
The first answer is calculated from the figures on this page. The others are model-generated text; answers that quoted older dollar figures are hidden so they cannot contradict the totals above.