As others have already said, it depends on location, definition of quality, and so on. Below, I added some numbers from my past. The everything else is still j

As others have already said, it depends on location, definition of quality, and so on. Below, I added some numbers from my past. The everything else is still just for minimum/essentials. It includes things like car insurance, utilities, repairs, gas money to get to work, clothing, etc. --- In 2003 as a college freshman(college paid for by parents/loans), I got by in Jonesboro, Arkansas for around $7000 a year. $3,000 - rent in a run down part of town. $1,000 - food $3,000 - everything else. --- 2005, in Columbia, MO I got by spending about $14,000. $8,000 - rent $2,000 - food $4,000 - everything else --- 2006, in Columbia, MO I got by spending about $10,000. $3,2000 - rented a nice 5 bedroom split 5 ways. $2,800 - food $4,000 - everything else --- In 2015, at Lake Worth, FL for around $20,000. $11,000 - rent $4,000 - food $5,000 - everything else --- This year I'm looking to rent in Taipei, Taiwan. Here's what I have so far priced things out at. $16,000 - $25,000. $12,000 - $18,000 - rent $2,000 - $3,000 - food $2,000 - $4,000 - everything else In between the 2006 & 2015 rentals, I purchased and lived in a home. Also, like most people over time I went from $500 clunkers to a $5,000 reliable car, rented in nicer neighborhoods, bought higher quality food, and so on.