What $3,000 vs. $5,000 vs. $7,000 Monthly Budgets Buy You in America’s 10 Biggest Cities
- - What $3,000 vs. $5,000 vs. $7,000 Monthly Budgets Buy You in America’s 10 Biggest Cities
John SchmollJanuary 18, 2026 at 9:55 AM
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Do you want to live a comfortable life in one of the ten largest cities in America? You’ll need a good income to afford it.
With the rising cost of living and economic headwinds facing many Americans, identifying the right place to live is vital. What you can afford with a $7,000 monthly budget is going to be vastly different from what you can afford with a $3,000 monthly budget.
It’s no surprise that more Americans are leaving high-cost-of-living cities like Los Angeles, San Diego and Chicago and opting for more economical locales, according to PODS.
What a $3,000, $5,000 and $7,000 Budget Gets You in America’s 10 Biggest Cities
Rent or mortgage is just one piece of the puzzle when considering a city to live in. The cost of living includes items such as groceries, utilities, transportation, taxes and more, according to Mortgage.com.
In many cities, it will cost more to live near the city center. It’s fair to expect people living in places like New York City or Los Angeles to live in less desirable areas to stretch their budgets. Here’s what $3,000 vs. $5,000 vs. $7,000 monthly budgets will purchase you in America’s ten biggest cities. All rent figures are from RentCafe.
New York City -
$3,000: Studio or small one-bedroom in outer boroughs with a tight budget
$5,000: One-bedroom or small two-bedroom in more central areas
$7,000: Possibly desirable Manhattan apartment
The average cost of rent in New York City is $5,613, and that doesn’t necessarily get you much.
Los Angeles -
$3,000: One-bedroom in a non-central neighborhood with a tight budget
$5,000: Nice one-bedroom or small two-bedroom in a popular area
$7,000: Roomy two-bedroom in neighborhoods like Santa Monica
The average cost of rent in Los Angeles is $2,758. However, with such a sprawling city, what you get can vary significantly.
Chicago -
$3,000: Comfortable one-bedroom in a good neighborhood, with a tight budget
$5,000: High-end one-bedroom or two-bedroom downtown
$7,000: Luxury rental with room in your budget
The average cost of rent in Chicago is $2,439 with the possibility of downtown living on a $5,000 budget.
Houston -
$3,000: Large one-bedroom with a comfortable budget
$5,000: Upscale rental with room for savings
$7,000: High-end apartment with ample budget flexibility
The average cost of rent in Houston is $1,355. Houston is the first city to offer budget flexibility across all budget levels.
Phoenix -
$3,000: Comfortable one-bedroom or modest two-bedroom
$5,000: High-quality one to two-bedroom
$7,000: Spacious rental with ample budget flexibility
The average cost of rent in Phoenix is $1,486. It’s possible to find three-bedroom homes for just over $2,000 monthly.
Philadelphia -
$3,000: Compact two-bedroom in a good neighborhood
$5,000: Spacious two-bedroom in a desirable area
$7,000: Luxury building with significant discretionary budget
The average cost of rent in Philadelphia is $1,973 with flexibility at all budget levels.
San Antonio -
$3,000: Affordable one-bedroom with some budget flexibility
$5,000: Spacious two-bedroom
$7,000: Luxury unit with lots of flexibility
The average cost of rent in San Antonio is $1,274 with three-bedroom units averaging $1,824.
San Diego -
$3,000: Small one-bedroom with coastal living out of reach and a tight budget
$5,000: Larger one-bedroom in a more desirable area
$7,000: Premium one or two-bedroom in coastal areas
The average cost of rent in San Diego is $2,968, according to RentCafe.com. Proximity to the coast is a cost-driver in San Diego.
Dallas -
$3,000: Comfortable one-bedroom
$5,000: Upscale one or two-bedroom with budget flexibility
$7,000: Luxury apartment with ample room in a budget
The average cost of rent in Dallas is $1,584 with three-bedroom units averaging $2,197.
Jacksonville -
$3,000: Comfortable one-bedroom or small two-bedroom
$5,000: High-end one or two-bedroom with budget flexibility
$7,000: Large two or three-bedroom with significant breathing room
The average cost of rent in Jacksonville is $1,495 with three-bedroom units averaging $1,865.
What your money can get you for a home can vary widely, depending on where you live. It’s best to assess both your short and long-term goals when deciding where to call home. Living in a large city may seem fun, but it can come at a significant cost.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What $3,000 vs. $5,000 vs. $7,000 Monthly Budgets Buy You in America’s 10 Biggest Cities
Source: “AOL Money”
