Cost of living in Queens
Queens, a vibrant borough of New York City, offers a unique blend of urban living and cultural diversity. Understanding the cost of living in Queens is crucial for anyone considering moving to or residing in this bustling area.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of various expenses, including housing, transportation, dining, and more, to help you plan your budget effectively.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $15 on average, with a range between $10 and $60.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $80, with prices ranging from $50 to $150.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $10.5, with a range between $7 and $15.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $4.5 to $10, imported beer $8 to $10, cappuccino $3 to $6.95, and Coke/Pepsi $1.99 to $3.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between $0.79 and $1.74 per liter, averaging $1.12.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $2.2 and $8, with an average price of $3.92.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $2.19 to $6.98, averaging $3.85.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2.18 to $6.61 per kg, while oranges range from $1.65 to $6.61 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.1 and $4.41 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.5 to $4.99 per head.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $2.9, with a monthly pass priced between $129 and $132.
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.82 and $1.02 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $3, with a cost of $1.86 to $3 per km and $24 to $42 per hour of waiting.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1850 to $2800, averaging $2308.33.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1700 to $2500, averaging $2040.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $3200 to $5600, averaging $4166.67.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $2600 to $3500, averaging $3033.33.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $7534.74 to $10763.91, averaging $9149.32.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $4036.47 to $6619.8, averaging $5704.87.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $85 and $300, averaging $164.87.
- Internet - Internet services range from $29 to $100, with an average cost of $57.33.
Cost of Living Rankings
The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Cost of Living Data
Restaurants
Restaurants
Markets
Markets
Transportation
Transportation
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Sports And Leisure
Sports And Leisure
Clothing And Shoes
Clothing And Shoes
Buy Apartment Price
Buy Apartment Price
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Childcare
Childcare
"Key Takeaways"
Queens offers a diverse range of living options, with housing costs varying significantly between the city centre and outside areas.
Dining in Queens can be affordable, especially with a variety of inexpensive and mid-range restaurant options.
Public transportation is relatively affordable, making it a viable option for daily commuting.
Grocery prices are moderate, with some variation in costs for fresh produce and dairy products.
Conclusion
Living in Queens, NY, provides a balance of urban amenities and cultural experiences, though it comes with a relatively high cost of living.
Prospective residents should consider the varying costs of housing and transportation when planning their budget.
Overall, Queens offers a vibrant lifestyle with diverse dining and shopping options, making it an attractive place for many.