What is the cost of housing and living in the U.S.: renting, buying and utility costs?

Housing costs and buying real estate in the U.S.

Issues related to housing costs and real estate acquisition are particularly relevant to many people in the United States. Housing prices fluctuate significantly from one state to another. A prime example is California, which leads the way as one of the most expensive regions to buyreal estate.

For example, in Los Angeles, the average cost of residential properties exceeds the$633,000.Lancaster is one of the most desirable cities in the real estate market. While in Lancaster, just a few hours away by car, parents can afford to purchase a home for a$252,000.The price of real estate here is about three times lower than in Los Angeles. The social life in Hollywood, located in Florida, is also not so far from its California rivals: the price of real estate here is about$244,000.which makes this area attractive to buyers.

Real estate taxes

It is important to remember that residential property owners in the United States are required to pay an annual property tax, which varies from state to state. On average, this tax can amount to about1% of market priceof the facility and is paid once a year.

Housing rental

When it comes to renting, the price can vary greatly, especially in larger cities. For example, in Santa Monica, west of Los Angeles, renting a one-bedroom apartment can cost as much as $30,000.$2,000.per month. However, if you look south to San Fernando, you can rent for the same amount of moneytwo studio apartmentsWith additional amenities such as a swimming pool, a gym and a barbecue area.

Fortunately, there are more affordable options. In Santa Monica, you can find a small studio in a safe neighborhood for about1,300 dollarsevery month. When renting a home, owners usually require a deposit equal to the cost of one month's rent, which is considered proof of your intentions, especially if you have no credit history, which is known to be very important in the United States.

Comparison of rental prices

When you compare prices, rentals in San Fernando can start as low as $30,000 per month.750 dollarsper month - almost half the price. In Texas, in the Houston area, the cost of renting a studio is at the level of1 thousand dollars, which is 20% lower than Santa Monica, although in Houston itself, prices may be in line with market conditions.

Types of apartments

In American realities, one-bedroom housing is usually referred to by the term1-bedroom. Those who were looking for a more economical option should pay attention to such concepts assingleorstudioIn many cases, the rental price already includes one parking space, which significantly increases the convenience of living. In many cases, the rental price already includes one parking space, which significantly increases the convenience of living.

Ways to find accommodation

To find a place to live in the United States, you have several ways:

• You can contact real estate agents who work in the rental industry to find a suitable option.
• In doing so, they may need to providedouble depositand confirm your finances for the months ahead.
• You can also consider co-tenancy with Americans who have stable jobs and a good credit history.

In this case, the arrangement will be in their name, which can make the process much easier.

While searching for a suitable apartment on one of the most popular American classifieds sites, you have a chance to spend a pleasant time choosing a place to live in the city of your dreams. If you are lucky, you may come across rental offers from Russian-speaking owners who are willing to offer housing without additional requirements for collateral or financial verification.

Utility costs

When it comes to utility bills, they vary depending on the size of your home. For example, monthly energy costs can range from $50 to $250. If you rent a small studio, you may be able to keep your costs to a minimum. Keep in mind, however, that utility rates can vary widely even in neighboring areas due to differences in provider companies.

For water supply, there may also be similar costs as for electricity. If your apartment is located in a condominium complex, you may want to add a common area maintenance fee to your mandatory fees. This fee can range from $150 to $300, depending on the condition of the building and the availability of amenities such as a community pool or playgrounds.

Garbage disposal

One should not forget about the regular costs of garbage collection, which usually amount to about $30 per month. This service is paid twice a year through the city portal. Also, many Americans prefer to use laundromats, as renting a home with a washer and dryer installed can increase the cost of rent by $100-150. If you choose to use a laundromat, a single load of laundry can cost $10 to $15, which adds an expense of $30-$60 if done 3-4 times a month.

Food expenses

Now, regarding grocery spending - in California, a couple typically spends about $400-500 per month on groceries. This amount can vary depending on your preferences and where you live. For example, the price for chicken can range from $4 to $10 per pound even at the same store, depending on the quality.

Average grocery prices in Los Angeles:

• Milk - about $1 per liter
• Eggs - ranging from $3 to $5 for a 12-pack of eggs
• Chicken breasts - $4 to $10 per pound
• Yogurts - average from $4 per carton
• Beef and pork - about $13 per kilogram
• Seafood - $8 to $30 for 453 grams
• Rice - starting at $4 a kilo
• Fresh white bread - approximately $3
• Pasta - $2 to $5
• Apples are $3 to $4 per pound
• Bananas are about $2 a pound
• Oranges are about $3 a pound.
• Tomatoes - approximately $3.8 per pound
• Garlic - about $2 per pound
• Carrots - about $1 per pound
• Cucumbers - about $2.8 per kilogram
• Nuts - $7 to $8 per pound

Budget supermarkets and eating out

Among the inexpensive supermarkets in America is Walmart. When it comes to eating out, lunch for two in a restaurant (including main courses, appetizers or desserts, tax and tip) will cost about $40, while dinner with alcohol can cost $60-70. One simple lunch can cost about $15, while a set of Big Macs at McDonald's can cost about $7. Coffee lovers should consider that a cup of cappuccino costs about $4, and an evening with a glass of beer will cost $5. Among the affordable dishes, Chinese “eateries” stand out, where a portion of noodles with meat costs only $4-10.

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The importance of health insurance in the U.S.

An important aspect of life for American families is the issue of health insurance. СApril 1, 2014U.S. law requires that every family must have a valid health insurance policy. Failure to have insurance may result in a fine that is either2.5%of the total family income for the year, or$695.for each family member - whichever of these amounts is higher. It is important to note that this amount is subject to regular indexation in accordance with inflation, which creates additional financial difficulties for family budgets.

Cost of medical policies

The cost of a basic medical policy for one person is approx.$160-$200.per month, whereas more complete and comprehensive insurance can reach a500 dollarsper month. In addition, dental and eye insurance must be purchased separately, which increases overall health care costs. For people with low incomes, government agencies provide subsidies, the amount of which depends on the applicant's financial situation.

Health insurance model

Health insurance in the United States works on a unique model. When a policy is issued, there is a set amount that the customer must pay before the coverage takes effect. This can be compared to the concept of deductible in other countries. Once a certain level of medical expenses is reached, a new phase begins to take effect - theco-payYou have a plan that shares the cost of treatment with your insurance company.

• For example, if a doctor's consultation is needed, you can pay for80%costs, while20%will be covered by your insurance company.
• If the service is not covered, however, you'll have to pay the full cost, which can be about$100 for a consultation.

It is also worth keeping in mind that once you reach your medical spending limit, the insurance company will begin to fully cover your medical bills until the limit set in the policy is exhausted. It is important to consider your financial capacity when choosing a policy, based on the amount you are willing to spend before the insurance is activated and the total limit set in your contract.

Car insurance in the USA

As for auto insurance, its cost in the United States depends on many aspects: the age of the driver, driving experience and the condition of the car. On average, car owners have to pay about400 dollarswhat corresponds70 dollars.per month. However, it is possible to find insurance policies for$40 a month.But then you will need to accept more limited coverage terms and a high deductible.

Parking and fines

Additional parking costs can be about $1 per hour or $10 for an entire day. In areas adjacent to retail outlets and restaurants, parking is often free, but only for customers shopping.

It is important to pay attention to road signs and signs, because fines in America can be quite serious. For example, if you leave your car next to a fire hydrant, it will cost $150, and parking in a $250 handicapped spot will be a costly mistake.

• Penalty for improper parking: 50 to 80 dollars.
• Penalty for speeding: Three fines in six months can result in the loss of your license for up to six months and serious financial consequences.
• Driving without insurance: could lead to an arrest.
• Penalty for not wearing a seat belt or violating traffic signals: 50 dollars.

Car rental and public transportation

If you need a car on a temporary basis, you may want to consider renting. However, this is not cheap - in addition to insurance and fuel, you will also need to pay rent, which can start at $1,000 per month.

As for public transportation, bus fares vary by region:

• in rural areas, one dollar;
• in L.A., $1.50 to $1.8;
• in New York and Boston, $2.50.

Cellular and Internet

Cell phone costs will range from $30 to $50 monthly and include unlimited calls and texts, as well as 1-2 gigabytes of Internet traffic. The issue of Internet connection should also be taken into account: Internet connection fees will cost you about 30-70 dollars a month, and this amount depends on the state, city and the chosen service provider.

If you plan to connect telephone and television, it is more profitable to get a combined tariff, which will cost from 90 to 130 dollars per month.

Clothing and footwear expenses

In terms of clothing and footwear costs, textile prices in the US may make you happy. However, keep in mind that these costs vary depending on the climate in different regions. In California, where it is quite warm, you can buy a lot of t-shirts, shorts and flip flops for as little as $200. Meanwhile, in colder states like Alaska or Minnesota, winter clothing costs will be much higher.

For example, in California:

• Levis jeans, $47.90;
• Zara dress, $32;
• Nike sneakers, $78;
• T-shirts and tank tops are $5-$20;
• sweaters, $15-$60;
• shoes starting at $70;
• jackets starting at $50.

Shopping malls

California is home to popular malls such as Fashion Center and Shopping Center, which are department stores with several small stores under one roof. These places are convenient for shopping, especially for affluent people.

Nordstrom Rack is one of the oldest outlet chains in the country, where you can find well-known brands at lower prices. Equally famous are TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Ross stores, where you can find pretty good products with discounts of up to 50%. Ross is considered to be one of the most budget-friendly stores in this category.

Shopping in America

There are a huge number of shopping destinations in America, with outlets such as Citadel Outlets and Camarillo Premium Outlets being particularly notable among them. These malls offer tempting deals on famous brands. In addition to the outlet malls, there are also major shopping complexes such as Grove, Beverly Center, Hollywood & Highland, Glendale Galleria and Santa Monica Place. Not only do these locations feature a variety of multi-brand stores, but they also have major department stores such as Bloomingdale's, Macy's and Nordstrom.

Online shopping

Almost all significant retailers in the United States offer their services online. These stores have websites where you can place orders and have the product delivered to your home. TypicallyUS shippingtakes three to eight days.

Stores with fixed prices

Fixed-price stores can be found in every American city, where a variety of items ranging from household necessities to groceries are available. In Los Angeles, especially popular are chain stores where prices start at one dollar:

• Dollar Store
• 99 Cents Only Stores
• Yarra 1 Dollar
• 1 Dollar Store
• Dollar Tree

Sale season

It is also worth notingseasonal saleswhich take place regularly in the United States. Summer sales take place from mid-July to early September, and winter sales run from mid-December to the end of January. During these periods, discounts can be as high as 20-60 percent, with maximum savings usually available a few weeks before the sale ends. Unfortunately, however, the range of goods at this time may not be the widest.

Cost of sports and entertainment services

If we talk about the cost of sports and entertainment, on average, sports in the United States cost about $50 per month. There are also more affordable options:

• 24 Hour Fitness - $30
• Just Fitness - $10.

At the same time, there are premium services, such as Krav Maga classes, which can cost up to $300 per class. Individual training with a personal trainer costs from $25 to $30 per lesson.

Early termination of contract

It's important to remember that whileearly terminationwith the fitness center, you may have to pay a fine. If you want your child to stay in the gym during your workout, the price of the membership may increase by 10 dollars. U.S. fitness clubs also have clever schemes known as “deals” where a small amount of $5 each month for life will be charged after the contract is completed.

Fitness center membership prices

Some fitness centers also offer the first month of membership at a higher price than subsequent months. For example, at 24 Hour Fitness, you'll pay $200 for the first month and then only $30 thereafter. The situation is similar at LA Fitness:

• The first month is $120
• Next month, $39

Services in beauty salons and entertainment

If you decide to treat yourself to a visit to a beauty salon, be prepared to pay at least $14 for a haircut and approximately $25 for a basic set of services. If you plan to spend an evening at the movies, tickets will cost $12-20, and admission to a museum will cost $10-30.

Entertainment in California

California offers a wide range of options for entertainment and outdoor activities. Here, you can find various museums, parks, national reserves, and even ski resorts. This makes California an attractive place for those who want to spend their time enjoying themselves and investing in various hobbies.

Conclusion

During my research on housing expenses in the USA, I came to important conclusions about the current situation in the real estate market and rental prices. The variety of prices, influenced by geographical and economic factors, highlights the need for a careful approach to choosing a place to live.

CaliforniaUndoubtedly, it ranks first in housing costs, while in less popular regions like Texas or Florida, more affordable options can be found.

Rental rates

I noticed that rental prices in big cities vary depending on the neighborhood, which can significantly impact the budget. Interestingly, despite the high rates in places like Santa Monica, similar conditions can be found in more affordable areas, such as San Fernando, where you can get much more space and amenities for the same amount of money.

Additional expenses

An equally important aspect is understanding all the additional costs associated with housing, such as:

• utility bills
• property taxes
• food expenses

I noticed that utility costs can vary even within the same state, which further emphasizes the need to research local conditions. I was also pleasantly surprised to find affordable supermarkets, such asWalmartwhere you can significantly save on groceries.

Result

In conclusion, I want to emphasize that issues related to housing and living expenses in the USA require a serious approach and careful planning. Mandatory payments and additional expenses can vary significantly, so it is important to prepare in advance for potential challenges.

Owning or renting a home in this country can either become a source of additional financial burden or an opportunity for comfortable living with the right choice. I hope this guide helps you navigate this complex yet fascinating area!