Cost of Living & Quality of Life in United States (2026)
What everyday life costs in United States — rent, utilities, eating out, transport and schooling — and how it scores on safety, health care, pollution and climate compared with Americas.
- Quality of Life Index
- 174
- 2024
- Safety Index
- 50.7
- 2024
- Health Care Index
- 67.6
- 2024
- Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre
- $1,846/mo
- 2023
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant
- $18.00
- 2024
- Average monthly net salary
- $4,890
- 2023
Quality of life trends in United States
Typical living costs in United States
US dollars; national figures are medians/averages across cities reported to Numbeo.
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent: 1-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $1,846/mo | 2023 | +5.0% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 1-bedroom, outside centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre | $1,465/mo | 2023 | +4.8% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 3-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $3,077/mo | 2023 | +5.1% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Utilities for an 85 m² apartmentElectricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage, monthly | $206/mo | 2023 | +6.5% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Internet (60 Mbps+)Unlimited broadband, monthly | $70.32/mo | 2023 | -1.0% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Mobile plan (calls + 10GB)Monthly mobile phone plan | $61.03/mo | 2023 | — | Numbeo |
| Meal, inexpensive restaurantCountry median of city prices | $18.00 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Dinner for two, mid-range restaurantThree-course meal for two, country median of city prices | $72.50 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| CappuccinoRegular cappuccino, country median of city prices | $5.00 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Public transport monthly passCountry median of city prices | $80.00 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Gasoline (1 litre)Country median of city prices | $0.91 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Fitness club membershipCountry median of city prices | $50.19/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Private preschool (full day)Country median of city prices | $800/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Average monthly net salaryAverage monthly salary after tax | $4,890 | 2023 | +4.0% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
Quality of life indices
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of Life IndexComposite index (higher is better) | 174 | 2024 | +0.8% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Safety IndexPerceived safety (higher is safer) | 50.7 | 2024 | -0.6% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Health Care IndexPerceived quality of the health care system | 67.6 | 2024 | -1.5% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Pollution IndexPerceived pollution (lower is better) | 37.1 | 2024 | +2.8% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Climate IndexClimate likeability (higher is more pleasant) | 78.9 | 2024 | +2.1% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Year | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Pollution Index | Climate Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 174 | 50.7 | 67.6 | 37.1 | 78.9 |
| 2023 | 172.7 | 51 | 68.6 | 36.1 | 77.3 |
| 2022 | 170.7 | 51.8 | 69.1 | 35.3 | 76.8 |
| 2021 | 167 | 52.3 | 69 | 38.9 | 77.3 |
| 2020 | 172.1 | 52.8 | 69.3 | 36.9 | 77.5 |
| 2019 | 179.2 | 52.9 | 69.4 | 33.9 | 77.5 |
| 2018 | 180.6 | 50.4 | 68.4 | 31.7 | 78.2 |
| 2017 | 179.7 | 51.2 | 68.2 | 31.2 | 67.9 |
United States compared with Americas
| Country | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Meal, inexpensive restaurant | Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 174 | 50.7 | 67.6 | $18.00 | $1,846/mo |
| Canada | 150.2 | 54.8 | 69.1 | $16.57 | $875/mo |
| Argentina | 112.1 | 35.8 | 68.1 | $9.00 | $384/mo |
| Bolivia | — | — | — | $2.90 | $352/mo |
| Brazil | 109.1 | 34.4 | 58.9 | $5.29 | $322/mo |
| Chile | 99.3 | 40.7 | 63.4 | $8.48 | $525/mo |
| Colombia | 102.9 | 38.8 | 68.3 | $4.66 | $315/mo |
| Costa Rica | 122.1 | 46.1 | 62.7 | $9.61 | $689/mo |
| Dominican Republic | — | — | — | $7.92 | $800/mo |
| Ecuador | 121.2 | 37.9 | 67.6 | $3.50 | $346/mo |
Related
- Properties for sale in United States
- House prices & rental yields in United States
- United States market overview
Source: Numbeo (indices and prices, crowd-sourced). Salary is the average monthly net wage.