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Cost of living in America: 15 US cities

Pick a city and a household. The figures come from government and public sources, linked below.

Household
Home
Food
Getting around
Health insurance
Childcare
Monthly total$0
    Yearly salary needed to cover this$0before tax, the figure on an offer letter

    Monthly cost in 15 US cities

    Cheapest first. Single: a 1-bedroom. Family: two adults and two children in a 2-bedroom. Both with modest groceries, one car and a marketplace health plan, no daycare. Salary is yearly, before tax.

    CitySingle, a monthSalary neededFamily, a monthSalary needed
    Detroit / Hamtramck$3,120$46,310$4,700$68,440
    Houston$3,350$47,320$5,020$69,510
    Buffalo$3,450$52,080$5,260$77,890
    Phoenix$3,450$50,430$5,000$71,420
    Philadelphia$3,560$52,430$5,200$75,150
    Dallas$3,630$51,430$5,330$74,140
    Atlanta$3,660$55,420$5,190$76,870
    Chicago$3,850$58,450$5,500$81,780
    Paterson / Passaic$3,960$58,610$5,570$79,540
    Seattle$4,220$60,320$5,970$83,760
    Miami$4,230$60,500$6,130$86,110
    Washington DC$4,240$65,590$5,860$88,180
    Los Angeles$4,400$66,360$6,300$91,920
    Boston$4,440$68,020$6,190$92,870
    New York City$4,970$78,060$6,800$102,680

    Common questions

    Which US city is cheapest to live in?

    Of the 15 cities here, Detroit / Hamtramck is the cheapest for one person: about $3,120 a month. New York City is the most expensive, at about $4,970. These are estimates with a 1-bedroom, one car and a marketplace health plan.

    How much does it cost to live alone in New York City?

    About $4,970 a month with a 1-bedroom, modest groceries, one car and a marketplace health plan. Covering that takes a salary of about $78,060 a year before tax.

    What salary does a family of four need in America?

    For two adults and two children with a 2-bedroom and one car, from about $68,440 a year in Detroit / Hamtramck to about $102,680 in New York City, before tax. Daycare would add more.

    What do these figures leave out?

    Phone, internet, eating out, clothes, savings, money sent home, children's health cover and city income taxes. Treat every figure as a rough estimate, not advice.

    How it is worked out

    • Rent is HUD's Fair Market Rent for the whole metro area (FY2027). It includes utilities except phone and internet. HUD sets it near the 40th percentile, so many areas cost more, some less.
    • Food is USDA's monthly food plan for groceries cooked at home, adjusted for household size. Eating out is not included.
    • Health insurance is the average benchmark silver plan for a 40-year-old, before any subsidy, per adult. Children's cover is not included. Many people pay much less after a subsidy or through a job.
    • A car is AAA's average cost of owning a new car: payment, insurance, fuel, maintenance and depreciation. An older car costs less. Public transport is a monthly pass per adult; for New York and Los Angeles it is the weekly fare cap times 52, divided by 12.
    • The salary is the gross yearly pay one earner would need so that, after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax, the monthly total is left. It uses the standard deduction only. Child tax credits, other deductions, city income taxes (New York, Detroit, Philadelphia and others) and state payroll taxes are left out.
    • Phone, internet, clothes, savings and money sent home are not included.

    Sources

    An estimateThis is a rough guide from public averages, not financial or tax advice. Your own costs and taxes will differ.