Watkins Glen, located in the picturesque Finger Lakes region of New York, is known for its natural beauty and vibrant community. Understanding the cost of living in this charming town is crucial for both potential residents and visitors.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Watkins Glen, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $20 on average, with a range between $6.6 and $40.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $87.5, with prices ranging from $40 to $200.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $10, with a range between $7 and $16.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $2.5 to $7, imported beer $4.5 to $12, cappuccino $3.5 to $7, and Coke/Pepsi $1.5 to $3.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.53 and $1.39 per liter, averaging $1.2.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.97 and $2.2, with an average price of $2.16.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.72 to $5, averaging $3.26.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $3.66 to $12.13 per kg, while oranges are priced at $2.84 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced at $2.62 per kg, and lettuce costs $2 to $2.39 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.79 and $1.01 per liter.
  • Car Purchase (e.g., Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Corolla) - A new Volkswagen Golf costs between $35,000 and $36,373.32, while a Toyota Corolla ranges from $26,407.08 to $28,000.

Housing Costs

  • Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child - The cost for private preschool is between $500 and $1200 per month, averaging $850.
  • International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child - Yearly tuition for international primary school ranges from $10,500 to $12,000, averaging $11,250.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $90 and $219, averaging $153.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $60 to $80, with an average cost of $69.25.
Worldwide
United States

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.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Jan, 2025
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

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Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$20.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$87.50
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$10.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75
Cappuccino (regular)
$6.00
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.20
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$2.16
Eggs (regular) (12)
$3.26
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.69
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$15.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.28
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.67
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$10.00
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.59
Apples (1kg)
$7.46
Oranges (1kg)
$2.84
Potato (1kg)
$2.62
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.20
Rice (white), (1kg)
$2.47
Tomato (1kg)
$6.59
Banana (1kg)
$1.44
Onion (1kg)
$3.28
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$0.00
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$35,686.66
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.00
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$0.00
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$0.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$26,469.03
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$153.00
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$69.25
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$49.20
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$11.50
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.33
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$49.67
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$73.75
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$60.00
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.52%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$850.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$11,250.00
Watkins Glen Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Watkins Glen offers a diverse range of dining options, from affordable meals to upscale dining experiences.

Grocery prices are relatively moderate, with some variation in the cost of fresh produce and dairy products.

Transportation costs are influenced by fuel prices and the cost of purchasing a new vehicle.

Utilities and internet services are reasonably priced, contributing to a balanced cost of living.

Conclusion

Overall, Watkins Glen presents a balanced cost of living with reasonable expenses across various categories.

Whether you're considering a move or planning a visit, understanding these costs can help you budget effectively and enjoy all that Watkins Glen has to offer.