All prices are in US Dollars. Currency converter
| Supermarket food | Approximate cost (USD) |
| loaf of bread | 2.50 |
| 1 kg rice | 1.50 |
| 500g pasta | 1.50 |
| packet of sausages | 4.99 |
| 1kg apples | 5.00 |
| packet of instant noodles | 0.79 |
| 1kg potatoes | 4.50 |
| tin of tuna | 2.49 |
| 500g minced beef | 3.00 |
| 6 eggs | 1.89 |
| 1 kg bananas | 1.50 |
| cheese (non-specialist) 200g | 3.00 |
| 1 pint of milk | 1.50 |
| 1 packet cookies | 1.50 |
| half gallon orange juice | 3.89 |
| 1 packet teabags | 1.20 |
| 1 jar instant coffee | 1.79 |
| Eating out | Approximate cost (USD) |
| Coffee (eg Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts) | 3.50 - 4.00 |
| Coffee (at independent cafe) | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Breakfast in a diner, eg eggs, toast, coffee or tea | approx 4.95 |
| Sandwich or roll | 3.00 - 5.95 |
| Muffin or cake | 1.00 - 4.00 |
| Three-course meal in mid-range restaurant | 12.00 - 35.00 |
| Takeaway, eg from noodle bar | 4.35 - 10.75 |
Note: Our New York school does not have a student cafeteria, but there are hundreds of places to eat near by, from sandwich bars and coffee shops to department stores and restaurants. Eating out is part of the New York experience, of course!
| Entertainment | Approximate cost (USD) |
| cinema ticket (full price) | 11.00 |
| theatre ticket | 10.00 upwards, student discounts sometimes available |
| bowling | 5.00 - 7.00 per game, plus shoe rental 3.50 - 4.00 |
| nightclub entrance | 10.00 - 25.00 |
| museum entrance | 5.00 - 20.00 (many museums are free on one day of the week; all offer student discounts) |
| pint of beer (570 ml) | 3.50 - 4.50 (plus tip for bartender) |
| can of Coke | 1.00 |
| Big Mac hamburger | 0.55 |
| Miscellaneous | Approximate cost (USD) |
| notebook | 1.00 upwards |
| disposable pen | from 1.49 for ten |
| shampoo | 3.00 upwards |
| soap | 1.00 upwards |
| launderette | 3.50 to wash and dry one load |
| newspaper | 1.00 Mon - Sat, 3.50 Sunday (New York Times) |
| magazine | approx 3.99 |
| haircut (men) | 12.00 upwards |
| haircut (women) | 50.00 upwards |
| local phone call | 0.50 |
| stamp for letter abroad | 0.80 upwards |
| mobile phone text message (within US) | 0.20 upwards |
| mobile phone call (within US, to same network) | free! |
Shops like Staples, Target, and Walmart can be found across the city and offer low prices on everyday essential goods.
| Clothing | Approximate cost (USD) |
| shoes | 60.00 upwards |
| tights | 5.00 |
| socks | 2.99 upwards |
| jeans | 50.00 upwards |
| sweater | 35.00 upwards |
| T shirt | 15.00 upwards |
Students may appreciate the cheaper prices found in the city's many discount stores such as Filene's Basement on Union Square.
| Transport | Approximate cost (USD) |
| taxi | 2.50 minimum, plus 2.00 per mile. More at night and during peak hours. Trips out of town have a flat rate - for example, the fare to JFK airport is 45.00. The passenger pays any tolls. Drivers also expect a 15 to 20% tip. |
| bus | 2.00 per ride (5.00 on express bus). Cheaper with a Metrocard. |
| subway | 2.00 per ride. Cheaper with a Metrocard. |
| season ticket | Various cards are available, from 7.00 for one day, to 76.00 for 30 days' unlimited travel. |
Note: Check our links page for details of websites with much more information about public transport in New York and the USA.
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