Travel budget and cost of living in the United States (USA) how much does a trip cost?

Travel budget in the United States (USA)

United States: calculate your travel budget

United States: sample budgets by traveller type

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in the United States (USA) for 2 people.

* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).

Cost of living in the United States (USA) in 2025

Cost of living: United States VS England

On average, the cost of living in the United States (USA) in 2025 is 18% higher than in England.

The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices England in in England and England by types of expenses:

Local prices in the United States (USA) by expense type

United States: Restaurant budget

Lunch

$ 22/person
($ 13 to $ 39)

---

4% more than in England Average price in England: $ 21

3 course dinner

$ 40/person
($ 27 to $ 78)

---

7% less than in England Average price in England: $ 43

McDonald's meal

$ 12/person
($ 9.4 to $ 14)

---

19% more than in England Average price in England: $ 9.7

Local beer

$ 6.3 for 500ml
($ 3.9 to $ 9.4)

---

1% more than in England Average price in England: $ 6.3

Imported beer

$ 3.7 for 330ml
($ 1.6 to $ 6.8)

---

12% more than in England Average price in England: $ 3.3

Cappuccino

$ 5.4/cup
($ 3.1 to $ 8.4)

---

22% more than in England Average price in England: $ 4.4

Fizzy drink

$ 2.7/can
($ 2.1 to $ 4.2)

---

12% more than in England Average price in England: $ 2.4

Water bottle

$ 2.1/bottle
($ 1.6 to $ 3.1)

---

28% more than in England Average price in England: $ 1.7

United States: Hotel and accommodation budget

1-star hotel

$ 169/night
($ 76 to $ 565)

---

32% more than in England Average price in England: $ 128

2-star hotel

$ 161/night
($ 69 to $ 556)

---

2% less than in England Average price in England: $ 166

3-star hotel

$ 237/night
($ 98 to $ 703)

---

55% more than in England Average price in England: $ 154

4-star hotel

$ 334/night
($ 145 to $ 837)

---

80% more than in England Average price in England: $ 186

5-star hotel

$ 545/night
($ 309 to $ 1098)

---

104% more than in England Average price in England: $ 268

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 171/month
($ 72 to $ 625)

---

43% more than in England Average price in England: $ 121

Room with kitchen

$ 254/month
($ 88 to $ 855)

---

1% more than in England Average price in England: $ 252

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 216/month
($ 81 to $ 754)

---

9% more than in England Average price in England: $ 199

Cottage or guest house

$ 245/month
($ 143 to $ 553)

---

68% more than in England Average price in England: $ 146

Family room

$ 210/month
($ 77 to $ 693)

---

14% less than in England Average price in England: $ 246

United States: Supermarket food budget

Milk

$ 1.1/litre
($ 0.6 to $ 2.1)

---

34% less than in England Average price in England: $ 1.7

Bread

$ 3.8/500g
($ 2 to $ 7)

---

127% more than in England Average price in England: $ 1.7

Rice

$ 4.8/kg
($ 2.1 to $ 9.2)

---

119% more than in England Average price in England: $ 2.2

Eggs

$ 3.9/12 eggs
($ 2 to $ 7.1)

---

2% less than in England Average price in England: $ 4

Chicken

$ 13/kg
($ 5.7 to $ 23)

---

41% more than in England Average price in England: $ 8.9

Apples

$ 5.5/kg
($ 2.4 to $ 9.2)

---

89% more than in England Average price in England: $ 2.9

Tomatoes

$ 5.2/kg
($ 2.1 to $ 9.2)

---

44% more than in England Average price in England: $ 3.6

Potatoes

$ 3.1/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 7)

---

98% more than in England Average price in England: $ 1.6

Water bottle

$ 2.4
($ 1 to $ 3.7)

---

55% more than in England Average price in England: $ 1.5

United States: Public and private transport budget

Bus ticket

$ 2.6/ticket
($ 1.6 to $ 4.2)

---

7% less than in England Average price in England: $ 2.8

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.8/km
($ 1.3 to $ 3.3)

---

9% more than in England Average price in England: $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 1.5)

---

49% less than in England Average price in England: $ 2

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 3.8
($ 2.7 to $ 7.3)

---

5% less than in England Average price in England: $ 4.1

Car hire

$ 78/24hrs
($ 30 to $ 234)

---

54% more than in England Average price in England: $ 51

United States: Leisure activity budget

Cinema

$ 15/ticket
($ 12 to $ 22)

---

9% more than in England Average price in England: $ 14

Tennis

$ 23/hr
($ 8.4 to $ 38)

---

43% more than in England Average price in England: $ 16

United States: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

Cigarettes

$ 11/pack
($ 8.4 to $ 18)

---

44% less than in England Average price in England: $ 19

Levi's jeans

$ 56
($ 32 to $ 85)

---

37% less than in England Average price in England: $ 88

Summer dress

$ 45
($ 27 to $ 75)

---

3% more than in England Average price in England: $ 44

Plane ticket budget

Sydney → New York City

$ 1286
(fair price: $ 1149)

Melbourne → New York City

$ 1611
(fair price: $ 1331)

Montreal → New York City

$ 341
(fair price: $ 310)

Toronto → New York City

$ 304
(fair price: $ 256)

London → New York City

$ 560
(fair price: $ 494)

Manchester → New York City

$ 705
(fair price: $ 576)

Sydney → Los Angeles

$ 1224
(fair price: $ 965)

Melbourne → Los Angeles

$ 1447
(fair price: $ 1121)

Sydney → Honolulu (Oahu)

$ 854
(fair price: $ 668)

Melbourne → Honolulu (Oahu)

$ 846
(fair price: $ 668)

Los Angeles → Honolulu (Oahu)

$ 423
(fair price: $ 333)

New York City → Los Angeles

$ 393
(fair price: $ 305)

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