When considering a student travelling to New York to study, it is crucial to understand the cost of living in New York. As a cosmopolitan city, the cost of living in NYC is relatively high, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to live a comfortable life. With smart planning and budget control, you can live a life in New York that is comparable to other cities. Today, uhomes.com will provide you with a detailed overview of the cost of living in New York, including housing, food, transportation, and other daily expenses to help you live an enjoyable and economically sound life in this exciting city.
1. Cost of Living NYC: Housing Costs
There are two common housing options for students who will study in New York, and the housing costs of each type of housing are different.
On-campus Living:
If you choose to live in an on-campus residence, you will need to pay accommodation fees. Depending on the university and type of residence, the residence hall costs can range from $1200-$1600 per month.
Off-campus Living:
If you want to rent cheap apartments in NYC, uhomes.com is the best website to find your ideal housing in NYC. You could find the housing to suit your budget and needs. The housing cost varies depending on the different location.
If you want to live in a 1 bedroom apartment nearby the City Centre can cost around $4000 per month. Otherwise, you can choose to live away from the city centre. The rental will become lower and cost about $2500 per month.
2. Cost of Living in NYC: Food and Groceries
Food and groceries make up a significant portion of the cost of living in New York. Whether you are shopping for your daily needs at the grocery store or eating out, the cost of food is an expense that must be considered. Here are some rough estimates:
Cooking for yourself:
If you choose to cook for yourself, ingredients can cost between $50- $100 per week. This includes expenses such as buying fresh vegetables, fruits, ingredients and kitchenware. For example, some basic food items commonly purchased by students cost the following: a gallon of milk costs about $5.54, a pound of white bread costs about $4.46, a pound of rice costs about $3.33, and a dozen eggs costs about $5.20. In addition, a pound of sliced chicken costs about $6.65, a pound of apples costs about $3.25, a pound of tomatoes costs about $3.03, and a head of lettuce costs about $3.19.
Eating outside:
Living in New York can be very expensive if you choose to eat out every day. If you choose to go to some inexpensive restaurants the cost is around $27 per meal. If you choose to travel with your friends for dinner, the cost for two people for a three course meal is around $50-60 per person. This comes out to about $200-$400 for a week of eating out.
3. Cost of Living in NYC: Transportation Costs
| Transportation | Fee(dollar/month) |
|---|---|
| Subway | $132 |
| Path MRT | $2.75/Ride |
| Bus | $90 |
| Tramway | $90 |
| Ferry | $100-$120 |
Metrocard: People can buy the MetroCard at subway station ticket counters, ticket vending machines, or (less often) at grocery stores. The cost of a blank card is $1, which is added to the price of the card when you first purchase it. The MetroCard is a soft plastic magnetic card that you can swipe or insert when entering a station. The same card is used for both the Pay-Per-Ride and Unlimited Ride programs, with different options for stored value. Each time you add $5.50 or more to your card, you will receive an additional 5% of your fare. For example, if you add $20 in value, you will actually save $21. When using the MetroCard One-Way Deduction Program, you can transfer from subway to bus or bus to subway. You are enjoy free within two hours of the first swipe of your card.
Taxi Fee: If you need a more convenient way to get around, consider taking a taxi or using an internet ride service such as Uber. The taxi cost $2.5 one mile, depending on the length and distance of the journey. Monthly taxi and internet taxi fares can range between $50-$65.
4. Cost of Living in NYC: Daily Life
Entertainment and Recreation: New York City has many entertainment and recreational activities, from cinemas and gyms to concerts and museums. Entertainment can cost between $200-$350 per week.
Clothing and Beauty: The cost of clothing and beauty products varies from person to person. Monthly expenses in this area may be in the range of $200-$500.
Others: Other costs of daily living may include toiletries, stationery, postage costs, etc. The spending may range from $70-$150 per month.
5. Cost of Living in New York: Phone Bills
Phone Bills as a part of the cost of living in New York vary depending on the different operators and types of service. Here is some information about NYC phone bills:
| Operators | Package Type(GB) | Fee(dollar/month) |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Unlimited | $80 |
| T-Mobile | Unlimited | $80 |
| Sprint | Unlimited | $70 |
In New York, most people go for these three cell phone carriers. All three cell phone carriers offer unlimited packages that provide unlimited traffic and unlimited talk time with no degradation of picture quality for video viewing.
Prepaid Packages: If you buy a prepaid package, you can choose different packages depending on your needs and budget for the cost of living in NYC. Some of the standard prepaid packages include $25 (with unlimited calls with 10GB Hotspot), and $40 (with unlimited calls and unlimited SMS).
Internet Packages: You can buy an internet package that meets your needs. Some shared internet packages include unlimited data, limited data and mobile hotspots. The monthly cost of an internet package may range from $35-$45.
6. Cost of Living in NYC: Healthcare Costs
The relatively high cost of student healthcare is one of the major financial burdens of the cost of living in New York for students. The cost of healthcare can vary depending on an individual’s health status and the type of insurance chosen. In general, students pay about $125 to $250 per month for health insurance, depending on the plan and insurance company chosen. In addition, each doctor’s visit costs about $50 to $100, and prescription medications cost between $10 and $25 per visit. Special tests such as X-rays cost about $50 to $150, and emergency visits can cost as much as $250 to $500.
FAQ about Cost of Living in New York
The cost of living in New York City (NYC) is generally higher compared to the state and national averages.The average cost in NYC is range from $2500-$3000 per month.
Yes, and it can vary depending on where and what you choose to eat. The average cost of food is $300-$400 per month.
It’s important to note that rent prices can vary based on factors like location, size, and quality. Studio rentals in New York City average around $3,350 per month, while 4-bedroom rentals can go up to $6,773 per month. The median price for all currently available listings is approximately $4,025 per month.
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