I’m a college student from Kansas City, Missouri who moved to New York City for college. All posts show the different perspective of these very opposite cities.

May 5, 2016

How Much Is Your Money Really Worth?

It’s no news that New York City is really damn expensive. However, when you compare it to Midwest living you’ll be surprised on just how much extra you’re spending on rent, food, transportation, entertainment, etc. I am going to break down by category by just how much you could be saving.

RENT/MORTGAGE

What a million dollar’s get’s you in the Midwest

What a million dollar’s gets you in New York

Living in Kansas City all my life it was very easy to find a spacious home in a good neighborhood for around $250,000. In New York to buy a living space for that amount you would probably be renting the bathroom out of an apartment. The first picture shows you what type of home you can buy in the Midwest for around a million dollars and the square footage is around 5,000 to 6,000 square feet. As to where in New York 1 million dollars can only get you a one bedroom apartment that is around 700 square feet.

FOOD

54th Street Bar and Grill in Kansas City and Shake Shake in New York City

The pricing in food isn’t as dramatic as it is with housing however, when you’re something who goes out to eat avidly the prices start to add up. On average in the Midwest a casual outing for dinner will cost around $30 with tip. In New York, your fast food meal such as Shake Shack will cost you the same as a casual dinner in the midwest. But in New York even chain restaurants such as Olive Garden, Applebee’s, TGI Fridays, cost the amount a five star restaurant would cost in the Midwest. But please, if you are coming to visit New York do not, and I repeat do not go to a chain restaurant!!! There are too many options for that non sense.

However, one thing New York definitely has the Midwest beat in is PIZZZAAAAA. If I am ever to come across a place in Kansas City where I can get a delicious large slice of cheese pizza for $1 that tastes like 2 Bros I will move back home.

TRANSPORTATION

Broadway bridge in Kansas City, Missouri and the MTA A Train in New York City

As mentioned in a previous post, riding the subway isn’t exactly my favorite. I favor hopping in my car and going where I need to whenever I want and when I want and getting there on my time and not sharing the same transportation with everyone else. Not only that but besides the part of purchasing a car, it’s just as much as riding the train. Currently in New York City it is $2.75 per ride with a pre loaded MTA card and $3.00 for a one way fare. For a whole gallon of gas in Kansas City you are paying less than a one way subway ride, which is around $1.75 at the moment. A WHOLE GALLON! Plus, when riding a cab in New York you might going one mile but you better believe your cab ride is going to cost you around $8.

With all of this said, I still wouldn’t trade living in this crazy expensive city any day. It gives me something to complain about :)