Specific questions about costs of living in the US

[Immigraz 0]

So here are the requirements for the question - how much it costs to live in the US a month? I'm looking for the cheapest I can get with these requirements in mind:

A 50-100 square feet apartment for rent.

No sounds from the neighbors (babies, fights, sex, music, etc.).

Neighborhood where I wouldn't have a high chance of getting mugged or shot.

No preference for the city, but I prefer calmer areas.

Other questions:

Electricity costs per kilowatt.

Average utility costs (water, trash takeout, etc.).

Internet prices or a title of a reliable IP (no extra tracking, fast speeds, no downtimes, etc.).

Gas prices.

Heating prices during the winter, and how many months usually people have to pay for heating (how many months it's cold in the state that's mentioned when answering the primary question).

P.S. If you have any questions, ask.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

One thing you will have to consider is what you will do to make money. That limits where you can work and is the first step. Try this tool find your best place Do things like public transportation factor in what about the cost of a car/parking ? Food ?

[Moomin 292]

Cost of living varies alot. Perhaps search for budget planning worksheets to get an idea about the expenses that you aren't taking into consideration. Such as this; http://financialplan.about.com/cs/budgeting/l/blbudget.htm

Remember that calculates on your absolute minimum expenses.

Nobody can give you estimates based on living in the US because the cost vary from city to city and state to state.

Per month, I pay 30 dollar for my phone, 50 for car insurance, 80 for water, 100 for internet etc., etc. But the costs are different just 30 miles north west of here.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

100 sq. feet? You do realize that some prison cells are bigger than that, right? That's not an apartment. That's a small bedroom.

The cost of living varies dramatically from one area to another, and is usually a reflection of the average income in that area. Note that this is NOT the minimum or maximum income. Someone working a minimum wage job in New York City isn't going to be making much more than someone working a minimum wage job in rural Kansas, but the the NYC resident's cost of living is going to be 4 or 5 times higher.

This is just too broad a question to answer. You need to figure out where you're going to live first. Do you have any job skills?

[Xanax 349]

The cost of living is drastically different from place to place. Where are you planning to live?

50sq ft is very, very small for an 'apartment'.

[Immigraz 0]

One thing you will have to consider is what you will do to make money. That limits where you can work and is the first step. Try this tool find your best place Do things like public transportation factor in what about the cost of a car/parking ? Food ?

I've already planned work. It's online, so it isn't dependent on the location.

As for transport, I can use a bike, and I will if it's a busier area. If not, a car is a much better choice for me.

According to that site, hereis the place list.

Cost of living varies alot. Perhaps search for budget planning worksheets to get an idea about the expenses that you aren't taking into consideration. Such as this; http://financialplan.about.com/cs/budgeting/l/blbudget.htm

Remember that calculates on your absolute minimum expenses.

Nobody can give you estimates based on living in the US because the cost vary from city to city and state to state.

Per month, I pay 30 dollar for my phone, 50 for car insurance, 80 for water, 100 for internet etc., etc. But the costs are different just 30 miles north west of here.

I've already taken into account everything, however that link is very useful. I found out a few things that I haven't thought of (even though they aren't applicable to me).

There are things that I've already calculated that aren't in the OP, like food, no need for phone, cable and credit cards. Insurance is provided by your workplace.

100 sq. feet? You do realize that some prison cells are bigger than that, right? That's not an apartment. That's a small bedroom.

The cost of living varies dramatically from one area to another, and is usually a reflection of the average income in that area. Note that this is NOT the minimum or maximum income. Someone working a minimum wage job in New York City isn't going to be making much more than someone working a minimum wage job in rural Kansas, but the the NYC resident's cost of living is going to be 4 or 5 times higher.

This is just too broad a question to answer. You need to figure out where you're going to live first. Do you have any job skills?

Right now I'm living in a 15 square feet place. 100 square feet is a huge room from where I'm standing.

The rest of the post is commented in parts above when quoting other users.

The cost of living is drastically different from place to place. Where are you planning to live?

50sq ft is very, very small for an 'apartment'.

There's a list above according to a quiz site.

It's enough for me if it means cheap - a bed, a PC, a table and we're good to go. For starters.

[akihon 129]

well Kansas is cheap ... but it's the middle of nowhere. You get the point?

New York or California is expensive, but it's a bustling city atmosphere.

Capische? Where do you want to live or plan on living?

Edited October 25, 2012 by akihon

[Married2009 32]

There are extended stay hotels that you can rent by the month. That would cover the need for electric bill, water, internet, etc. Some have small kitchens also.

[pauli 49]

You must be making a mistake with the square footage. Just one bed is more than 15 square feet. Maybe you mean 15 by 15, which would be 225 square feet?

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Stay away from California or New York City. Move to Podunk Holler, Nebraska, Wyoming, North Dakota, or Alaska. And don't complain when you are getting suicidal in a few months' time and ask yourself if that's really all there is to life.

The more desirable the area, the more expensive it gets. In racing we say: speed costs money, how fast do you want to go? In your case I'd ask: how shitty do you really want to live?

[Dave + Loni 10]

they use sq meters so 15 sq meters is about 135 sq ft.

[Ms C 5]

ok, for a town in Ok, small place with something that resembles a mall and a few restaurants you would pay something like this for a one bedroom apartment in a decent area:

500 rent

40-80 electric( depending on month, max 100, 110 in the winter)

50 cable

25 internet

30-50 water( includes trash and it's on the expensive side in the summer because of the pool)

you pay extra on rent if you have pets

washing is 1.5 per load and 1.5 to dry

Hope this helps you