She rented two different apartments on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, each centrally located - one full year (which was perfect for summer internships) one was partial year. One-month deposit was always returned in full - but my daughter and her room mates always were conscious about wanting the full deposit back, thus leaving it behind clean.
Food expenses went down after she moved off-campus and had a kitchen. She kept a minimal meal plan to be able to swipe a quick lunch between classes on some days - but otherwise went grocery shopping once a week, preparing most of her meals with her peers. Even throwing in all the coffee shop, restaurant and bar bills, she never managed to spend as much as her mandated first-year meal plan (we tracked all expenses, as backup for her 529 reimbursements).
And that was at Manhattan prices.