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Money can’t buy happiness, but it could save you from loneliness — depending on where you live.
An eye-opening study by Manhattan Mental Health Counseling crunched data across 48 U.S. states to pinpoint where maintaining a social life burns the biggest hole in your pocket — and to no one’s surprise, New York reigned supreme as the most punishingly expensive.
To uncover the priciest social hubs in America, researchers tallied up everyday lifestyle staples, including average prices at casual restaurants and costs for cappuccinos and beer. Movie ticket prices were also factored in. They gathered transit data by calculating the monthly average for public transport passes and taxi fares, plus gas prices.
Those outings were then stacked directly against average monthly take-home pay.
The Empire State snatched the crown with a score of 67.03 out of 100 — though it’s not an accomplishment. New York moviegoers get slammed with a whopping $22.50 ticket price — the highest in the nation — while a basic “inexpensive” meal sets diners back $26.50 on average.
Gothamites face $8.50 draft beers and $6.50 cappuccinos on average, on top of a hefty $140 average monthly transit tab. Even with an average post-tax paycheck of $5,278, locals pay a fortune just to stay connected.
Inflation has made cheap eats in the Big Apple practically mythic, forcing bargain-hunting locals to hunt for hidden gems. Social media creators now dedicate entire accounts to hunting down affordable bites across the five boroughs, with street food creators hunting down “Big Mac steal” deals.
One TikToker hit the NYC streets asking 20-somethings what they shell out for a night on the town. Estimates ranged from $30 — courtesy of a girl who relies on guys to buy her drinks — to an agonizing $400 when dinner enters the chat.
The second most expensive state is Washington, despite boasting the highest average net monthly salary of $6,281. Averaging $28 for a meal and $9 for a beer sealed its fate.
Washington’s living costs have surged faster than any other state over the past decade, climbing at double California’s rate. Gas prices there frequently rank among the highest nationally, while groceries rank 4th overall.
Rhode Island ranked third with an average meal price of $30.67, while California grabbed fourth with $1.46 per liter of gas. Nevada rounded out the top five with steep grocery bills and $25 average dinners.
On the flip side, a few budget-friendly states offer fun without the wallet drain.
South Dakota proved to be the ultimate bargain, ranking 48th with a low score of 31.63. It boasts the cheapest meals in the nation at $14.85, plus $4.58 cappuccinos.
With no state income tax and low housing costs, South Dakota keeps total annual living expenses around $54,100 per year, according to Bureau of Economic Analysis data.
Kentucky (47th) and Mississippi (46th) also proved friendly to bank accounts. Bluegrass state locals enjoy $16.73 meals and $5.08 beers, while Mississippi features $11.72 movie tickets alongside lower net salaries. Kansas (45th) and Iowa (44th) rounded out the bottom five with cheap dining and low taxi fares. Both states also had sub-$5 beers.
