You must live near Central Park in Manhattan for those kind of prices.
Here near the border of Poland, it’s:
$1.25 for a one-kilo loaf of bread.
$2.35 for one kilo of swiss cheese.
$3.35 for one gallon of milk (four one-liter boxes)
Fuel is expensive here, yes....about $7.89 per gallon.
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment (including energy + heating) is $215 per month. Quiet neighborhood.
If you want to save on the gasoline bill, a one-month all areas transit pass is $25. Covers the city and suburban areas, streetcars and buses.
Why is rent so inexpensive?