Updated for 202670+ US & Canadian Cities

Lifestyle Cost of Living Calculator

Stop guessing with generic averages. Calculate YOUR actual cost of living based on how you actually live. Housing, food, transport, lifestyle - all personalized to you.

🎯
Personalized
Not generic averages
🏠
15+ Factors
Every expense covered
⚖️
Compare Cities
Side-by-side view
💰
Salary Needed
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Choose Your City
Quick Lifestyle Presets
Choose a lifestyle profile or customize below
Customize Your Lifestyle
Adjust each category to match how you actually live
Your Lifestyle Cost in New York, NY
Monthly Cost
$3,928
Yearly Cost
$47,136
Recommended Salary
$120,000
gross/year
50% Above Average

New York costs 50% more than the US national average

COL Index
150
100 = Average
Spending Breakdown
Total$3,928/month
Housing53%
Utilities & Bills18%
Food13%
Lifestyle11%
Transportation5%
Biggest Cost Drivers
Where most of your money goes
#1
Housing
$2,100/mo • 53% of budget
$25,200/yr
#2
Utilities & Bills
$710/mo • 18% of budget
$8,520/yr
Affordability & Risk Assessment
Score: 25/100
High financial risk — consider lifestyle changes
Financial Health ScoreHigh Risk
🏠
High Rent Burden
53%

Rent consumes 53% of your total expenses — very housing-heavy budget.

💡 Consider a roommate, smaller apartment, or more affordable neighborhood.

🔒
High Fixed Costs
72%

72% of your budget is fixed — leaves little room for emergencies.

💡 Reduce fixed expenses to create more financial flexibility.

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Healthy Savings Rate
44%

44% potential savings rate — great for building wealth!

Rent % of Budget
53%
Target: <35%
Fixed Costs
72%
Target: <50%
Savings Potential
44%
Target: >20%
6-Mo Emergency Fund
$23,568
~8 months to save

Risk assessment based on financial planning best practices. Consult a financial advisor for personalized advice.

Salary Negotiation Insights
Use these numbers when negotiating job offers or relocations
To maintain your lifestyle in New York, you need:
$120,000/year
≈ $58/hour (40 hrs/week)
+50% vs national average

💬 Use These in Negotiations

Job Offer Response

“Based on the cost of living in New York, I would need a minimum of $120,000 to maintain my current standard of living.”

Relocation Negotiation

“Moving to New York requires a salary adjustment of +50% compared to the national average to maintain equivalent purchasing power.”

📊 Salary Tiers for New York

Tight Budget
$90,000
$43/hr
Recommended
$120,000
$58/hr
Comfortable
$150,000
$72/hr
Luxury
$192,000
$92/hr

🔄 If You're Relocating

In a Cheaper City (COL 85)
$68,000
$52,000 less needed
New York (COL 150)
$120,000
Your target
In an Expensive City (COL 130)
$104,000
$-16,000 more needed

📋 For HR/Recruiters: These figures are based on actual cost-of-living data for New York. Use the Recommended Salary ($120,000) as a benchmark for competitive compensation packages.

Category Comparison
Housing$2,100 (53%)
Utilities & Bills$710 (18%)
Food$510 (13%)
Lifestyle$413 (11%)
Transportation$195 (5%)
Detailed Monthly Breakdown
Rent/Housing
$2,100
⚡Utilities
$150
🥗Groceries
$270
Dining Out
$150
Coffee
$90
Public Transport
$120
🚗Rideshare
$75
Gym
$38
Streaming
$50
Travel Fund
$100
Shopping
$225
🏥Healthcare
$375
📱Phone
$80
📶Internet
$105
What If? Lifestyle Tuning
Click to apply changes. Click again to revert.
Total Potential Savings
$1,830/mo
= $21,960/year
Learn More
Tap to expand each section

Data Sources & References
Our cost estimates are based on authoritative data sources. We are not affiliated with these organizations.
Methodology: Our cost of living index uses a weighted average approach similar to C2ER COLI, with 100 representing the national average. Housing costs are derived from Zillow and Zumper median rent data. Other expenses are scaled proportionally based on BLS regional price parities. Data is updated quarterly.

Last data update: January 2026. For more official resources, see our Sources page.