The United States of America is a country that attracts millions of students and corporate workers every year. This is because of the notion in the minds of the people that the USA has far better living standards and higher education opportunities. However, living cost is not an ignorable aspect. The average living cost for students in this country ranges somewhere around $12,000 to $20,000. If you are someone who wishes to know the detailed estimate of the living cost across this country, this article is for you. It brings you all the details about the cost of living in the USA for various types of families.
What Is The Average Cost of Living in the USA?
The cost of living across the United States wildly depends on the type of city you opt to live in and the number of members in your family. If you live in a relatively smaller town alone, your cost of living will obviously be more than those living as a couple or a family. Following is an average estimate of the cost of living broken down into various expenses.
| Expenses | Avg Cost For One Person Per Month | Avg Cost For A Couple Per Month |
| Accommodation | $1300 | $1600 |
| Utilities | $220 | $280 |
| Food & Groceries | $450 | $500 |
| Transport | $220 | $300 |
| Clothing & Shoes | $160 | $220 |
| Entertainment | $250 | $300 |
What Is The Average Cost of Living in the USA For A Family Having 4 Members?
The cost of living across the United States of America for a family having 4 members depends on where they choose to live. The cost may also vary depending on other aspects of living like the lifestyle or other specific needs of the family such as healthcare. The following is an estimate of the cost that you may have to incur if living in the USA.
Accommodation Cost
Housing and accommodation often take up a major chunk of the family’s total income. The monthly rent for an apartment having two bedrooms, a kitchen, as well as a hall in the US is somewhere around $1,500. However, this cost may vary if you choose to live in a rather expensive city such as New York or San Francisco.
Utility Cost
Another major cost for the family is the utility cost. For a family of four members, the cost of electricity, gas, water, trash removal, and other expenses may be around $250 monthly.
Food & Grocery Cost
The cost of food and grocery for a family often reaches up to $900 per month. However, if you shop wisely and prefer home-cooked food, you may effectively decrease the cost of living.
Transport Cost
The transportation cost for families living in the USA widely depends on the location of their households. If you own a car, your transportation cost may range from $400 to $600 per month. However, if you prefer public transport this cost can also be avoided.
Healthcare Cost
If you are living in the USA, your healthcare cost may reach up to $12,000 annually. This makes healthcare another one of the major expense’s families have to bear. This cost may go even higher if you have a family member with a special health condition that requires regular medical assistance.
Average Cost of Living in the USA For Students?
The United States of America as we mentioned right in the beginning is one of the most preferred countries among the students. This is especially true for those seeking higher education and better placement facilities. The following is a detailed estimate of the cost of living in the USA for students, especially expats.
Accommodation Cost
Accommodation is one of the biggest concerns for students when they think of living in the USA. If you are a student who prefers on-campus housing, the cost may range from $10,500 to $12,000. However, if you prefer off-campus housing the cost may range from $400 to $500 monthly.
Food Cost
The cost of food may range from $300 to $400 for students. This estimate is dependent on the type of lifestyle you choose. If you go to expensive food outlets, this cost may increase.
Transport Cost
Students in the United States are often granted transit passes. Hence, the cost of public transportation may range from $120 to $200 per month.
Textbooks Cost
The cost of textbooks as well as other study materials in the United States may range from $600 to $1,200 per year.
Healthcare Cost
Students, especially ex-pats, have to get health insurance. The cost of these insurances ranges from $600 to $1200 monthly.
What Is The Average Cost of Living In Different Regions Of The USA?
Following is an estimate of the average rent that you will have to pay in various regions of the United States of America.
| Region | Avg Rent For 1 Bedroom Apartment | Avg Rent For 2 Bedroom Apartment |
| San Francisco, CA | $3200 | $4500 |
| New York City, NY | $3000 | $4200 |
| Boston, MA | $2700 | $3800 |
| Chicago, IL | $1800 | $2500 |
| Austin, TX | $1600 | $2200 |
| Atlanta, GA | $1500 | $2000 |
| Denver, CO | $1700 | $2400 |
| Seattle, WA | $2100 | $3000 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $1400 | $1900 |
| Houston, TX | $1200 | $1800 |
Tips to Reduce the Cost of Living in the USA
Following are a few tips that you can follow if you wish to reduce your cost of living in the USA.
- Prefer Affordable Housing: Housing is one of the biggest expenses that takes up a significant section of the monthly income. Hence, affordable housing options are your best bet if you wish to save your money.
- Avoid Debts: Another useful advice to reduce your cost of living is reducing your debt. Facilities like Credit cards often prove to be a major burden. This is mainly because we are often not mindful when using it as we don’t have to pay immediately. Hence, avoiding it is the best way to save money.
- Public Transport: Transport is an important aspect of your lifestyle. Preferring public transport and embracing techniques like carpooling will also help you reduce your cost of living in the USA.
- Homemade Meals: Home-cooked food is not only healthy but also affordable. Hence, if you wish to save your money, prefer cooking meals at home instead of going to expensive and unhealthy diners.
