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

$ 21/person
($ 13 to $ 37)

---

4% more than in England Average price in England: $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 39/person
($ 27 to $ 76)

---

7% less than in England Average price in England: $ 42

McDonald's meal

$ 12/person
($ 9.1 to $ 14)

---

19% more than in England Average price in England: $ 9.4

Local beer

$ 6.1 for 500ml
($ 3.8 to $ 9.1)

---

1% more than in England Average price in England: $ 6.1

Imported beer

$ 3.6 for 330ml
($ 1.5 to $ 6.6)

---

12% more than in England Average price in England: $ 3.2

Cappuccino

$ 5.2/cup
($ 3 to $ 8.2)

---

22% more than in England Average price in England: $ 4.3

Fizzy drink

$ 2.6/can
($ 2.1 to $ 4)

---

12% more than in England Average price in England: $ 2.3

Water bottle

$ 2.1/bottle
($ 1.5 to $ 3)

---

28% more than in England Average price in England: $ 1.6

United States: Hotel and accommodation budget

1-star hotel

$ 166/night
($ 72 to $ 562)

---

30% more than in England Average price in England: $ 128

2-star hotel

$ 157/night
($ 67 to $ 540)

---

1% less than in England Average price in England: $ 159

3-star hotel

$ 231/night
($ 95 to $ 683)

---

55% more than in England Average price in England: $ 150

4-star hotel

$ 322/night
($ 141 to $ 808)

---

80% more than in England Average price in England: $ 180

5-star hotel

$ 519/night
($ 294 to $ 1064)

---

103% more than in England Average price in England: $ 256

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 166/month
($ 70 to $ 602)

---

41% more than in England Average price in England: $ 118

Room with kitchen

$ 246/month
($ 85 to $ 827)

---

2% more than in England Average price in England: $ 243

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 209/month
($ 79 to $ 729)

---

10% more than in England Average price in England: $ 192

Cottage or guest house

$ 235/month
($ 135 to $ 544)

---

67% more than in England Average price in England: $ 142

Family room

$ 205/month
($ 74 to $ 679)

---

14% less than in England Average price in England: $ 239

United States: Supermarket food budget

Milk

$ 1.1/litre
($ 0.5 to $ 2.1)

---

34% less than in England Average price in England: $ 1.6

Bread

$ 3.7/500g
($ 2 to $ 6.7)

---

127% more than in England Average price in England: $ 1.6

Rice

$ 4.7/kg
($ 2.1 to $ 8.9)

---

119% more than in England Average price in England: $ 2.1

Eggs

$ 3.8/12 eggs
($ 2 to $ 6.9)

---

2% less than in England Average price in England: $ 3.9

Chicken

$ 13/kg
($ 5.5 to $ 22)

---

41% more than in England Average price in England: $ 8.7

Apples

$ 5.3/kg
($ 2.3 to $ 8.9)

---

89% more than in England Average price in England: $ 2.8

Tomatoes

$ 5/kg
($ 2.1 to $ 8.9)

---

44% more than in England Average price in England: $ 3.5

Potatoes

$ 3/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 6.7)

---

98% more than in England Average price in England: $ 1.5

Water bottle

$ 2.3
($ 1 to $ 3.6)

---

55% more than in England Average price in England: $ 1.4

United States: Public and private transport budget

Bus ticket

$ 2.5/ticket
($ 1.5 to $ 4)

---

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

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.7/km
($ 1.3 to $ 3.2)

---

9% more than in England Average price in England: $ 1.6

Petrol

$ 1/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 1.4)

---

49% less than in England Average price in England: $ 1.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 3.7
($ 2.6 to $ 7.1)

---

5% less than in England Average price in England: $ 3.9

Car hire

$ 73/24hrs
($ 27 to $ 222)

---

49% more than in England Average price in England: $ 49

United States: Leisure activity budget

Cinema

$ 15/ticket
($ 11 to $ 21)

---

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

Tennis

$ 22/hr
($ 8.2 to $ 36)

---

43% more than in England Average price in England: $ 15

United States: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

Cigarettes

$ 11/pack
($ 8.2 to $ 18)

---

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

Levi's jeans

$ 54
($ 31 to $ 82)

---

37% less than in England Average price in England: $ 85

Summer dress

$ 44
($ 27 to $ 72)

---

3% more than in England Average price in England: $ 43

Plane ticket budget

Sydney → New York City

$ 1256
(fair price: $ 1118)

Melbourne → New York City

$ 1591
(fair price: $ 1310)

Toronto → New York City

$ 295
(fair price: $ 249)

New York City → Miami (Florida)

$ 271
(fair price: $ 170)

Montreal → New York City

$ 331
(fair price: $ 301)

Los Angeles → New York City

$ 381
(fair price: $ 297)

Melbourne → Los Angeles

$ 1458
(fair price: $ 1135)

Sydney → Los Angeles

$ 1215
(fair price: $ 960)

Sydney → Honolulu (Oahu)

$ 832
(fair price: $ 657)

Melbourne → Honolulu (Oahu)

$ 823
(fair price: $ 650)

Los Angeles → Honolulu (Oahu)

$ 412
(fair price: $ 321)

New York City → Los Angeles

$ 384
(fair price: $ 302)

Book a flight Flight prices to the United States (USA)