How Much It Costs To Live Comfortably in 15 East Coast Cities

Living on the East Coast is one of America’s favorite pastimes. Like, literally, America was born on the shores and battlefields of New England.

And while some of the most popular cities in the U.S. are on the East Coast, living there can be prohibitively expensive. 

We’ve tracked down some of the most popular cities in the East Coast and researched how much it costs to live there. From groceries, to utilities, to housing, to healthcare, we’ll break down how much it costs to live in these cities, and how much you need to make to feel comfortable living there.

Here’s how much it costs to live comfortably in 15 East Coast cities.

• Total Cost for Homeowners: $98,787
• Total Cost for Renters: $91,049
• Median Income: $64,375
• Monthly Mortgage: $2,353
• Monthly Rent Cost: $2,031
• Annual Grocery Costs: $5,517
• Annual Healthcare Costs: $ 5,654
• Annual Utilities Costs: $4,405
• Annual Transportation Costs: $5,580

St. Petersburg is a Gulf Coast town that is home to the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team, as well as a growing business sector. Located just east of Tampa, Saint Petersburg has some amazing beaches, great outdoor activities like biking, and a growing downtown that is steadily improving. It’s getting more expensive, too, with grocery and healthcare costs reaching nearly $500 per month. You need to make about $91,000 per year to live comfortably in St. Petersburg.

• Total Cost for Homeowners: $99,560
• Total Cost for Renters: $84,092
• Median Income: $68,367
• Monthly Mortgage: $2,473
• Monthly Rent Cost: $1,829
• Annual Grocery Costs: $5,217
• Annual Healthcare Costs: $5,179
• Annual Utilities Costs: $4,151
• Annual Transportation Costs: $5,551

Charlotte is the state’s largest city by population, with nearly 900,000 residents. Charlotte continues to grow, as it offers big city amenities with small-town charm in the suburbs. It’s also relatively inexpensive to live there.  With a temperate climate and low rent cost, you can live in Charlotte for just $84,000 and still feel very comfortable.

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• Total Cost for Homeowners: $99,835
• Total Cost for Renters: $84,631 
• Median Income: $81,810
• Monthly Mortgage: $2,437
• Monthly Rent Cost: $1,803
• Annual Grocery Costs: $5,275
• Annual Healthcare Costs: $5,736
• Annual Utilities Costs: $4,101
• Annual Transportation Costs: $5,568

Virginia Beach offers the best of a beach town, with some big city features that make it ideal for working professionals that want to enjoy the ocean and nightlife in the same place. There is also a robust military population there as the world’s largest Naval Station is located there. And it’s not too expensive to live there, either. Rent is only about $1,800 per month, and utilities are low due to its mild climate. If you make $85,000 per year, you would be fine living in Virginia Beach.

• Total Cost for Homeowners: $103,308
• Total Cost for Renters: $91,990 
• Median Income: $58,968
• Monthly Mortgage: $2,512
• Monthly Rent Cost: $2,040
• Annual Grocery Costs: $5,295
• Annual Healthcare Costs: $5,637
• Annual Utilities Costs: $4,320
• Annual Transportation Costs: $6,255

Orlando is one of the biggest cities in Florida, and the headquarters of massive theme parks that attract tourists from around the globe. Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, and other theme parks call Orlando home, and so do 300,000 permanent residents. Orlando has been growing rapidly over the past few years, with Florida’s sunny weather, lack of state taxes, and sprawling neighborhoods, giving you access to suburban or city living. You need to make around $90,000 to live in Orlando comfortably.

• Total Cost for Homeowners: $104,209
• Total Cost for Renters: $95,311 
• Median Income: $59,893
• Monthly Mortgage: $2,554
• Monthly Rent Cost: $2,183
• Annual Grocery Costs: $ 5,527
• Annual Healthcare Costs: $ 5,468
• Annual Utilities Costs: $ 4,066
• Annual Transportation Costs: $ 6,397

Tampa is one of the fastest-growing tech cities in the U.S., with many companies setting up shops to take advantage of the nearby beaches, year-round sunshine, and low taxes. And while real estate used to be inexpensive in Tampa, it is becoming more expensive, especially for homeowners. Homes cost at least $400,000 right now, but rents are lower, averaging $1,750 per month. Utilities cost about $350 per month, and groceries and healthcare around $400 per month. To live comfortably in Tampa you need to earn about $95,000 per year.

• Total Cost for Homeowners: $104,575
• Median Income: $72,996
• Monthly Mortgage: $2,717
• Total Cost for Renters: $79,544 
• Monthly Rent Cost: $1,674
• Annual Grocery Costs: $5,290
• Annual Healthcare Costs: $5,168
• Annual Utilities Costs: $4,184
• Annual Transportation Costs: $5,034

Raleigh is the state’s capital and is part of the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill “Tri-city” area, which is known for top-notch colleges and technology business growth, making it a popular destination for young students and graduates. The cost of living is reasonable, too, with rent around $1,700 per month and utilities around $4,200 per year. You only need to make about $80,000 per year to live comfortably in this big city. 

• Total Cost for Homeowners: $107,567
• Total Cost for Renters: $92,472 
• Median Income: $69,164
• Monthly Mortgage: $2,655
• Monthly Rent Cost: $2,026
• Annual Grocery Costs: $5,195
• Annual Healthcare Costs: $5,387
• Annual Utilities Costs: $4,375
• Annual Transportation Costs: $6,972

Atlanta is a massive, sprawling city in the heart of Georgia, boasting a population of nearly 500,000 residents. The entire Atlanta metro area houses over 6 million residents, stretching nearly 100 miles and encompassing Sandy Springs and Alpharetta as well. Atlanta is truly a big city, with booming businesses, access to top-notch restaurants, events, entertainment experiences, and major sports teams too. You’d need to earn about $92,000 to feel comfortable living in Atlanta, but this isn’t too bad compared to other large East Coast cities.

• Total Cost for Homeowners: $104,575
• Total Cost for Renters: $95,363 
• Median Income: $72,996
• Monthly Mortgage: $2,717
• Monthly Rent Cost: $1,928
• Annual Grocery Costs: $5,454
• Annual Healthcare Costs: $5,403
• Annual Utilities Costs: $4,818
• Annual Transportation Costs: $8,870

Newark is a coastal city near New York City that is known as one of the biggest transportation hubs in the world. With a world-class international airport and close proximity to the biggest city in the U.S., Newark has become a popular place for traveling professionals. Monthly rent costs are still under $2,000 per month, though living downtown might cost a lot more. And while most costs are fairly average, transportation can get very expensive, averaging nearly $9,000 per year. You can live comfortably in Newark for about $95,000 per year.

• Total Cost for Homeowners: $112,670
• Total Cost for Renters: $89,513 
• Median Income: $62,585
• Monthly Mortgage: $2,888
• Monthly Rent Cost: $1,923
• Annual Grocery Costs: $5,185
• Annual Healthcare Costs: $5,381
• Annual Utilities Costs: $4,227
• Annual Transportation Costs: $6,881

Marietta, Georgia, is a popular city in Georgia that offers suburban neighborhoods with some great city amenities. The cost of living is quite reasonable, with rents under $2,000 per month and reasonable food and utility costs. Transportation can get expensive, but overall you can live on less than $90,000 salary per year.

• Total Cost for Homeowners: $130,010
• Total Cost for Renters: $93,382
• Median Income: $91,970
• Monthly Mortgage: $3,477
• Monthly Rent Cost: $1,950
• Annual Grocery Costs: $5,927
• Annual Healthcare Costs: $4,732
• Annual Utilities Costs: $4,620
• Annual Transportation Costs: $8,006

Silver Spring is an up-and-coming suburb of Washington D.C., and it boasts a bustling business center, and tons of recreational activities, and is even home to entertainment giant Discovery. The cost to live there is reasonable, too, especially compared with Washington D.C. Rent is under $2,000 per month and healthcare is low, too. Transportation is higher, probably due to commutes to Washington D.C.. overall, you can live in Silver Spring, Maryland, for around $93,000 per year.

• Total Cost for Homeowners: $132,473
• Total Cost for Renters: $121,465 
• Median Income: $81,390
• Monthly Mortgage: $3,473
• Monthly Rent Cost: $3,014
• Annual Grocery Costs: $5,674
• Annual Healthcare Costs: $5,430
• Annual Utilities Costs: $4,726
• Annual Transportation Costs: $8,733

Jersey City is located right across the bay from New York City, making it a popular destination for busy professionals that work in New York but want to avoid the 24/7 hustle of city life. Jersey City has a large downtown, but also some great state parks and easy access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Jersey City is expensive, as you’ll need to make more than $120,000 annually to feel comfortable there. This has a lot to do with how close it is to New York and the high housing costs.

• Total Cost for Homeowners: $139,353
• Total Cost for Renters: $125,112 
• Median Income: $47,860
• Monthly Mortgage: $3,843
• Monthly Rent Cost: $3,250
• Annual Grocery Costs: $5,643
• Annual Healthcare Costs: $5,670
• Annual Utilities Costs: $4,033
• Annual Transportation Costs: $8,210

Miami has become one of the premiere tech destinations, with many startups moving there and a huge number of financial and crypto companies setting up shop downtown. Miami offers amazing beaches, top-notch nightlife activities, and is a hub for young professionals. It’s getting very expensive to live in Miami, though, as rents average $3,250 per month and transportation costs exceed $8,000 per year. You should make at least $125,000 per year if you plan on living in Miami.

• Total Cost for Homeowners: $148,166
• Total Cost for Renters: $118,031 
• Median Income: $125,306
• Monthly Mortgage: $4,450
• Monthly Rent Cost: $3,194
• Annual Grocery Costs: $ 6,153
• Annual Healthcare Costs: $5,817
• Annual Utilities Costs: $4,134
• Annual Transportation Costs: $4,580

Naples, Florida is a high-end suburb that offers a plethora of golf courses, luxury shopping establishments, and of course, world-class beaches. Naples is also very expensive, with home costing an average of $700,000, and rents average around $3,200 per month. Food costs are higher here too, coming in over $500 per month per household. Unless you make about $120,000 per year, you might want to avoid living in Naples.

• Total Cost for Homeowners: $158,156
• Total Cost for Renters: $119,548 
• Median Income: $81,744
• Monthly Mortgage: $4,659
• Monthly Rent Cost: $3,050
• Annual Grocery Costs: $5,859
• Annual Healthcare Costs: $4,890
• Annual Utilities Costs: $4,932
• Annual Transportation Costs: $7,489

One of the oldest cities in America, Boston has a long history. From the Boston Tea Party to key Revolutionary War battles, Boston is cemented as one of the most important cities in the U.S. It’s also a very expensive place to live, with high rent and transportation costs, and houses that sell for an average of $730,000. You need to make about $120,000 per year to feel comfortable living in Boston.

• Total Cost for Homeowners: $159,689
• Total Cost for Renters: $105,950 
• Median Income: $93,547
• Monthly Mortgage: $4,706
• Monthly Rent Cost: $2,467
• Annual Grocery Costs: $6,001
• Annual Healthcare Costs: $5,207
• Annual Utilities Costs: $4,476
• Annual Transportation Costs: $7,688

Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States and the center of politics for the country. It has a massive, sprawling metro area with nearly 700,000 residents. It’s expensive, too, with houses that go for around $740,000 on average, and high grocery and transportation costs. If you’re renting, you need to make at least $105,000 per year to feel comfortable living there. And if you buy a home, you need to make much more.

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Methodology: To find how much you need to live comfortably in major East Coast cities, GOBankingRates analyzed the highest population cities in this region based on the following factors; [1] 2023 Home Value Index for Single Family Homes by City, [2] 2023 Zillow Observed Rental Index by City both sourced from Zillow Housing Data. Cost of Living Indexes for each city by expenditure category; [3] Cost of Living for Groceries, [4] Cost of Living for Transportation, [5] Cost of Living for Healthcare, [6] Cost of Living for Utilities for each city all sourced from Sperling’s Best Places. These indexes were multiplied by the median annual expenditure cost for each category as sourced from the 2021 Bureau of Labor Statistics Annual Expenditures. [7] The median household income for each city as sourced from the American Consumer Survey from the US Census. GOBankingRates then calculated an annual cost of a 30-year mortgage amount using the 30-Year National Fixed Rate Mortgage Rate sourced from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. With all these factors, GOBankingRates used the 50/30/20 rule to calculate the salary someone would need to live comfortably in each city and sorted the data to show the lowest to highest salaries needed to buy a home. All information is up to date as of May 30, 2023.