what is the average cost per year for living in america
The average cost of living in the United States can vary widely based on several factors, including location, household size, lifestyle, and personal circumstances. Urban areas, especially those on the coasts like New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, tend to be far more expensive than rural areas or smaller cities.

As of my last update in early 2023, here is a very broad overview of some average yearly costs for an individual:

1. Housing: This is often the largest expense. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment can range from $700 to $3,000 per month depending on the location and quality, resulting in an annual cost of roughly $8,400 to $36,000.

2. Utilities: Utilities include electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage. Internet and phone services are often additional. Average utility costs can range from $100 to $300 per month, totaling approximately $1,200 to $3,600 per year.

3. Food: The cost of food varies based on diet and whether you dine out frequently. A frugal individual may spend $200 per month, while someone eating out regularly might spend $500 or more, totaling $2,400 to $6,000+ annually.

4. Transportation: Owning and operating a vehicle includes costs such as payments, fuel, insurance, and maintenance, which can total anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000+ annually. If relying on public transportation, costs can be significantly lower.

5. Healthcare: Costs are highly variable and largely depend on whether you have insurance through an employer or are purchasing it independently. Out-of-pocket expenses, premiums, deductibles, and co-pays can run several thousand dollars per year.

6. Insurance: Other than health insurance, this includes car insurance, renters or homeowners insurance, and perhaps life insurance. The combined cost can be several thousand dollars per year.

7. Taxes: Federal, state, and local taxes, including income, sales, and property taxes, need to be factored into living costs.

8. Miscellaneous: Clothing, personal care, household supplies, education, entertainment, and other miscellaneous expenses can add several thousand dollars to the annual cost of living.

According to various cost-of-living calculators and averages, a ballpark figure for an average American might be somewhere between $30,000 to $50,000 per year for a modest lifestyle, while those living in high-cost areas or with more expensive tastes could see figures well above $70,000.

It’s essential to consider that these figures are approximations and can change based on the current economic situation, inflation rates, and changes in personal circumstances. It is also not a one-size-fits-all estimation, and costs can vary greatly from individual to individual.
what is the average cost for a moderately sized one bedroom house in America.

Let’s say we have very fast internet and incredibly good utilities. I have a job as a psychologist ranging form 120to160k a year. How much would I have left over if all these expenses are accounted for?
To calculate how much you might have left over after expenses on a salary of $120,000 to $160,000 per year as a psychologist, let’s break down the monthly costs using the higher end of average figures (since you specified very fast internet and incredibly good utilities).

Please note that these are rough estimates, and actual expenses can vary significantly based on a multitude of factors including personal lifestyle, location, and market conditions at the time:

1. Housing: The cost for a moderately sized one-bedroom house will depend heavily on location, but let’s take a higher end estimate and say $2,500 per month ($30,000 per year).
2. Utilities (including very fast internet): Assuming high-quality services let’s estimate around $300 per month ($3,600 per year).
3. Food: With a mix of home cooking and dining out, say $600 per month ($7,200 per year).
4. Transportation: Since you might have a car, let’s budget for payment, fuel, insurance, and maintenance at around $800 per month ($9,600 per year).
5. Healthcare: With a good insurance plan, your out-of-pocket costs including premiums, deductibles, and co-pays, might be about $500 per month ($6,000 per year).
6. Insurance (non-healthcare related, e.g., renters/homeowners, car, life): Around $300 per month ($3,600 per year).
7. Taxes: Federal and state taxes can take a significant portion of your income. For simplicity, let’s estimate a 30% effective tax rate on your salary (though this could be higher or lower depending on your circumstances and location):