If you're considering moving to Brooklyn, the first thing you want to know is, 'How much will it cost per month?'

While it's known that New York is an expensive city, many are surprised when they see the actual numbers. Here, I've realistically broken down the living expenses in Brooklyn for a single-person household. There can be significant differences based on personal spending habits, but I've used a moderate standard of living as a reference.

The largest expense is, of course, housing. Studio rents in Brooklyn vary by neighborhood, but in popular areas like Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights, they range from $2,500 to $3,500 per month. Areas like Bedford-Stuyvesant and Bushwick are relatively cheaper, with rents between $1,800 and $2,500. In the outer parts of Brooklyn, such as Bay Ridge or Bensonhurst, you can find rents in the $1,500 to $2,000 range. For one-bedroom apartments, expect to pay an average of $2,500 to $3,800, and for two-bedrooms, over $3,200 to $5,000. Most apartments require a security deposit equal to one month's rent, and there may also be a separate broker fee.

Transportation costs can be relatively economical if you use public transit. A monthly unlimited MetroCard for the New York MTA subway and buses costs $132. If you're commuting to Manhattan, this amount is usually sufficient. If you maintain a personal vehicle, parking fees, insurance, and gas can add over $500 a month to your expenses. For food, if you're cooking at home, grocery shopping can cost around $300 to $500 a month, but if you eat out frequently, it can easily exceed $800. Brooklyn has a wide variety of restaurants and cafes, making dining out quite tempting.

Utility costs vary by building. Many rentals include heating, but if electricity and gas are separate, during the summer air conditioning season (June to September) and winter heating season (December to March), costs can reach $100 to $250 per month. Internet costs, based on Spectrum or Verizon Fios, range from $50 to $80 per month. If you don't have health insurance through your job, you may need to consider enrolling through the Obamacare marketplace, where you might qualify for subsidies based on your income level. Without subsidies, individual enrollment can cost over $300 to $600 per month.

When you roughly sum up the minimum monthly living expenses for a single-person household, it comes to about $2,900, which includes $2,000 for rent, $132 for transportation, $400 for food, $150 for utilities, and $200 for other expenses (like communication and essentials). Adding in dining out, leisure, medical expenses, and savings, a realistic estimate would be around $3,500 to $4,500 per month. While Brooklyn is cheaper than Manhattan, the absolute amounts are still quite high, so thorough financial planning is essential before making the move.