The Cost of Living Like the Friends Characters in 2024
As the iconic show Friends celebrates its thirtieth anniversary this September, fans are taking a closer look at the lifestyles of the beloved characters and how they would fare in today’s world. A recent study has analyzed the costs of living like Ross, Rachel, Monica, Joey, Phoebe, and Chandler in 2024, revealing some surprising findings.
Ross Geller
First up is Ross Geller, the paleontologist with a penchant for dinosaurs and failed relationships. In 2024, Ross’s New York lifestyle would cost him a whopping $66,440.64 annually. Despite his high rent for a two-bedroom apartment and daily coffee indulgences, Ross could comfortably afford his lifestyle with an average salary of $280,625.
Joey Tribbiani
Unsurprisingly, Joey has the second-most expensive lifestyle among the Friends cast, costing him $44,428.64 per year in 2024. With his love for dining out and ordering pizza, Joey’s aspiring actor salary would leave him in debt of about $12,647.61.
Rachel Green
Rachel’s social life and rent in 2024 would amount to $39,514.64, but her executive salary in the fashion industry would leave her with a comfortable surplus. However, her debts from her waitressing days would still linger, making financial independence a challenge for her in season one.
Monica Geller
As a head chef, Monica would earn an average salary of $84,449 in 2024, but her lifestyle expenses would total $39,514.64. Despite her rent-controlled apartment, Monica would still have a decent surplus, although her past financial troubles as a rollerskating waitress could resurface.
Phoebe Buffay
Phoebe’s side hustles would earn her an average salary of $21,715 in 2024, but her rent expenses would exceed her income, leaving her in debt. Financially unattainable both in 1994 and now, Phoebe’s quirky lifestyle would struggle to survive in today’s New York.
Chandler Bing
Chandler’s mysterious job and mid-thirties career change to an advertising copywriter would earn him a comfortable salary of $79,436 in 2024. Despite his smoking and gym membership expenses, Chandler could easily afford his lifestyle, making him one of the wealthiest characters in Friends.
As fans reminisce about the iconic show and its characters, it’s clear that the cost of living like the Friends in 2024 comes with its challenges and financial implications. While some characters could comfortably afford their lifestyles, others would struggle to make ends meet in today’s world. As we celebrate thirty years of Friends, it’s a reminder of how much has changed in the past three decades, both on-screen and off.