Cost of Living in the USA
The cost of living in the USA varies from region to region and from city to city.
The chief cosmopolitan centres – regardless of geographical location - like New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles are the most expensive places to live. The cost of living in a major city can be fifty percent more than that of the national average. To compensate, wages are increased in cities but often not in proportion to the cost of city living.
A large portion of the high cost of living is due to expensive property prices, a cost that can be somewhat alleviated by living outside city centres. In rural communities property prices are much lower.
On average, expenses are less than in western European countries. However, some expenses that expats may be unaccustomed to will also need to be considered.
For example, there is a need for a reliable vehicle for commuting in every area of the States except a very small group of big cities. Petrol is much cheaper than in Europe, but more is consumed. Heating and air-conditioning are also widely used, and can become very expensive. On average, a mid-priced meal for two will be $50, a mid-line car $10,000, a can of coke $1.00 and a fast food meal $5.50.
The chief cosmopolitan centres – regardless of geographical location - like New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles are the most expensive places to live. The cost of living in a major city can be fifty percent more than that of the national average. To compensate, wages are increased in cities but often not in proportion to the cost of city living.
A large portion of the high cost of living is due to expensive property prices, a cost that can be somewhat alleviated by living outside city centres. In rural communities property prices are much lower.
On average, expenses are less than in western European countries. However, some expenses that expats may be unaccustomed to will also need to be considered.
For example, there is a need for a reliable vehicle for commuting in every area of the States except a very small group of big cities. Petrol is much cheaper than in Europe, but more is consumed. Heating and air-conditioning are also widely used, and can become very expensive. On average, a mid-priced meal for two will be $50, a mid-line car $10,000, a can of coke $1.00 and a fast food meal $5.50.
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