The Cost of Miranda Priestly’s Lifestyle Today

Almost two decades after the first film was released, the sequel to The Devil Wears Prada is reportedly underway.

Since the moment it hit the screens, fans have been captivated by the luxurious lifestyle led by cutthroat fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly. But would she really be able to afford this prestigious way of life today?

A recent research examined various elements of Priestly’s lavish lifestyle and estimated their costs in 2024. The data was then compared to her potential salary after tax to judge the affordability of her spending habits.  

In short, Miranda Priestly would have a hard time affording the lifestyle we see in the film, even on her estimated salary of $2 million. The data suggests that, at minimum, she would be over $230k in debt.  

Provided she paid the correct amount of tax, Miranda would have just over $1.1 million annually. For most people, this would be more than enough to live comfortably and then some, but for Priestly, it would just about cover her mortgage.  

The stunning seven-bed Upper East Side townhouse, as seen in the movie, recently sold for a whopping $27,500,000. If Miranda wanted to buy it, she would have to pay around $817,626 annually for her mortgage, provided she put a 20% deposit on the purchase and split the cost equally with her husband. This figure alone amounts to 74% of her total income.  

Unsurprisingly, fashion is Priestly’s second biggest expense, racking up an estimated $249,717 a year. Although it’s highly likely that she would be gifted many items in her wardrobe, it’s reasonable to assume that she would also purchase a wide selection of designer clothes and accessories herself.  

For example, the infamous Izzy Camilleri red fur coat would cost $10,000, and the sexy Valentino black gown would cost around $12,000. Buying herself just ten designer bags a year would average a massive $108,000, whilst necklaces and earrings would be around $96,000. 

Flights to Paris would be another large expenditure, costing Priestly a projected $102,872.85 annually. This figure includes return first-class flights with a cabin bag and two check-in bags five times a year: twice for both Paris Fashion Weeks and three more for general business. It’s important to note that prices for flights fluctuate depending on the time of year, so this figure could be even higher. 

Hiring a private chauffeur would also prove costly for Miranda. An experienced chauffeur in New York can charge upwards of $55 an hour. Assuming they would work a minimum of 40 hours a week every month, Priestly would be looking at paying at least $114,400 every year, not including the added costs associated with employing someone to work for you. 

Other expenses include her food and drink habits. Having her piping hot, no-foam skim lattes every morning, five days a week, would cost her $1,547 annually. Her steak lunch from Smith & Wollensky would set her back $13,416 yearly if she ordered it twice a week; her meal alone costs $129, and there’s no guarantee she will even eat it.