Cost of living in the USA - 2017

Priscilla wrote:

> How much does it cost to rent an apartment/house in the USA?

I don't rent now but last time I rented a 2 bedrooms+backyard apartment in Carlsbad one block away from the beach was $1,800/month. The area was very expensive. Before that, I was renting a 2 bedrooms house on a 2 acres lot in the boonies in eastern Tennessee for $700/month.

Priscilla wrote:

> How much do you pay for your public transport tickets (bus, subway, train, tram)?

Never used them. Always lived in suburbs or rural places.

Priscilla wrote:

> Staple food: what do people eat and how much do they pay for basic food like bread, rice, pasta?

We cook a lot, especially my girlfriend. She cooks everything from scratch (even the spaghetti sauce) and we eat everything (meat, fish, veggies, etc...) She's the coupon queen. I don't have the specifics, but from what I've seen, we spend a lot less than a lot of people say they spend here (expats tend to go to places like Whole Foods and other con places like that).

Priscilla wrote:

>What is your monthly grocery budget?

I'd say we spend $200 a month for food, mostly basic ingredients. We don't shop at fancy stores, we go to North Gate Market, Stater Bros, Walmart, etc...

Priscilla wrote:

> How much does it cost to see a physician/doctor/specialist in the USA ?

My girlfriend pays $10 for a visit with her insurance. With mine, I pay $100 until I reach the deductible then everything is covered 100%.

Priscilla wrote:

> What is your children's schooling monthly budget?

No kids.

Priscilla wrote:

> How much does it cost to fill up your cars fuel tank?

I filled up yesterday. Gas was $2.77 a gallon.

Priscilla wrote:

> How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc.?

$40/month for electricity, we have a propane tank so probably less than $20/month for propane and $30/month for water.

Priscilla wrote:

> How much do you pay for your Internet/phone subscription?

$50/month for Internet and $40/month for cell phone that includes international calls/text.

Priscilla wrote:

> How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?

Like I said, we cook a lot, we have leftovers all the time. A few times a month I go for lunch with some friends, I'd say $10 when we go.

Priscilla wrote:

> How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?

I rarely have one outside of work (they're free at work) but I'd say $5 or so. Actually, my girlfriend stops by on Fridays at Starbucks (they have her favorite fluffy drink over there) and brings me a double shot of espresso at work. We work for the same company, I just start earlier than she does.

Priscilla wrote:

> How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?

I don't go often. Last I think it was around $12.

Priscilla wrote:

> How much does a gym membership cost in the USA?

No clue. I have a spin bike, a treadmill, a weight station and 2 acres of ranch to maintain. No need for these. 

Expect to spend $3000  per month for lodging & foood in Atlanta area. That is using public transportation ( monthly pass). I don't have break down & details

Cost of living in USA it goes 2 ways:
1.Go and have all on CREDITS, Housing,CC,Car loans,Student loan etc....Range between  $1000-over $10,000 depending on your income.
2.Have Payoff House,Car loan,Student loans ,CC  etc....You don't pay those  $1000-$10,000 and live free of any DEBTS .
Otherwise you just going to live paycheck to paycheck.

Two adults, two cats, Oklahoma City, Ok 2016-2017
Cats - 200/mo, not counting vet (single tooth extraction 1k, annual shots 100/cat)
Homeowner no mortgage, utilities 300,  2500 sqf 2016 built property taxes 5k, insurance 3k, phones/cable/internet 250 (no options), groceries 1k (yes, we enjoy food and company, cook from scratch from bread/pasta/chips to venison), alcohol is expensive ( chain wine not under 10/750 ml cheap stuff to nice local 30 and up)
Ladies hair cut 30 and up
Cirque de Solei Tickets for April 2017 were 250/each

Compared to Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX 2010-2015
Cats the same
275 sqf 2010 built property tax 15k, insurance 4k, groceries around 1k, wine from 7.50 chain, utilities 1k (water and waste water are expensive)

If you want to live in the U.S. you better be prepared for a high cost of living.  I'll start by saying I lived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia for two years working as a professor at a university.  I split a flat with a friend and paid $200/month.  I paid about $125/month for health insurance.  On a salary of just over $2,200/month I managed to bank $30,000 in two years. I had a housekeeper, ate out a lot, averaged 3 massages a week and rode my bicycle everywhere except when taking trips in country on the bus.  I moved back home in 2014.

Currently I try to live debt free.  I own my house outright, no car payment and no debt so I'm very fortunate.  My insurance for house, car and health are $660/month.  My property taxes on my house are $500/month.  My cell phone plus utility bills average $200/month.  I'm spending almost $1,400/month on the most basic of living expenses, not even including food!  I don't eat out a lot so add about $100/week for food. 

I make a good salary and save as much as possible but even with that I will find it very hard to live in the U.S. in retirement with a lifestyle anywhere close to what I had in Cambodia.  I'm torn because my kid lives here and I don't want to be away all the time.

Gym membership is about $25/mo. at LA Fitness.  I don't consider that a luxury--part of staying healthy.

My property taxes went up almost 10% . Neighbor, 1st time homeowner, paid asking price and brought property values up. Sales tax went up 1% after city elections which ran it as source of funding for public works and safety. 70% will go to administration, 30% will go to police force for upgrade of uniforms and more streamlined light bars.

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I live in united state new york ny
The cost of moving here is outrages
Is very hard for low income people.
A 2 bedroom apartament 2,000$ a month utilities separete,food,transportation....this is so disapointed

I lived in New York in the mid-2010s and live in North Carolina now. One would think North Carolina is less expensive than New York, though it could be the time difference which has led to price increases.

Food in New York was ridiculously expensive.  Food in North Carolina varies. Grocery stores are reasonable while restaurants are high. I ate a $6 taco yesterday. I saw hummus for $10 but refused.

Transportation in New York was simple and efficient, with prices rising steadily. The Staten Island Ferry, however, is still free. In Chapel Hill, buses are free, with limited service and do not go beyond Chapel Hill/Carrboro.

Health insurance seems to be the same, but I have insurance through school, so that could be the result.

Phone prices are much higher in North Carolina. This could be because of more advanced technology. My phone in New York did not hold as many secrets of the universe as my current phone.

Rent is where New York and North Carolina truly set themselves apart. I live in a 3 bedroom house within a 10 minute walk to campus and pay less than half of the studio apartment that was a 30 minute subway ride away. All utilities are included in my current house. Nothing was included in the New York apartment. I even paid separate bills for garbage collection and water. I paid extra for the privilege of running hot and cold water.