How Much Money Would You Need to Live Like the Girls from Sex and the City?

Often times, when we think about the lives of Carrie Bradshaw, Miranda Hobbes, Charlotte York, and Samantha Jones from Sex and the City, it seems almost magical. These four vibrant and multi-faceted characters have lifestyles that are the envy of many. But just how much money would it require to live like Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, or Samantha?

New York City’s Lifestyle: An Astronomical Cost

What many fail to realize is that the lives depicted in the popular television series are quite expensive. According to estimates, at least $50,000 per month would be necessary to emulate their lifestyle.
Is this realistic?
Extremely unrealistic, to be honest. The average individual would struggle to find work that pays such salaries.

Breaking Down the Costs for Carrie Bradshaw

To understand the financial outlay for a character like Carrie, let's delve into the details:

Apartments: In New York City, especially in desirable areas like the East Village, an apartment can cost around $3,000 per month. Regular Dining Expenditures: Carrie frequently eats out for meals. According to current cost estimates, a typical dinner in New York City can cost $48. If she eats mostly out, this could add up to a significant amount, especially if combined with occasional expensive dinners at specialty restaurants or high-end cafes. Breakfast: Breakfast at a local café can be relatively inexpensive, around $10. Magazines: An average issue of Cosmopolitan costs $16, which is approximately $3.50 per week in subscription costs. Utilities: Monthly utility bills, including rent, can come to at least $168. Footwear Investments: A luxury pair of shoes such as those favored by Carrie might cost around $500. Considering she has at least six of these throughout the year, that comes to around $3,000 for shoes alone. Apparel Accessories: Outfitting herself in chic and fashionable attire adds up quickly. Costume and fashion pieces could rack up to around $3,000 per year. Makeup and Jewelry: Personal grooming items like makeup and jewelry are also a significant cost, with these expenses totaling about $8,000 annually. Cab Rides and Miscellaneous Expenses: Regular use of taxis and other transportation services can cost around $1,000 per year. Add to this other miscellaneous expenses and you’re looking at an additional $80,000 per year.

Adding these expenses together, it becomes clear that simply living like Carrie Bradshaw requires at least a minimum of $80,000 per year. This does not factor in additional costs such as:

Spa Treatments Artistic Pursuits (painting, art, etc.) Travel Expenses

In essence, being “rich” would be non-negotiable to maintain such a lifestyle. The characters in Sex and the City are essentially living in a fantasy world where affluence is the norm.

Cost for the Other Girls

For Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha, the costs would vary slightly but remain in the same ballpark of extravagance:

Minimum Monthly Requirement for Miranda: Miranda can be expected to have a similar lifestyle to Carrie, with a monthly cost of at least $50,000. Minimum Monthly Requirement for Charlotte: Charlotte, while more grounded, might still have a significant monthly budget to maintain her fashion and lifestyle. It's reasonable to estimate that her minimum monthly requirement could be around $40,000. Minimum Monthly Requirement for Samantha: Samantha, given her love for personal hairstyling and sparkling attire, would likely have the highest monthly expenditure. It’s safe to estimate that her minimum monthly requirement would be around $50,000 to $60,000.

In conclusion, the glamorous lifestyles of these iconic characters from Sex and the City come at a high cost. To live like them requires a substantial amount of money and, as the well-worn mantra of the show suggests, a rich lifestyle.