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Cost of Living in New York

New York, New York, United States · Population 19,268,388 · National capital

▲ +25% vs United States average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$1,664
Couple, monthly$3,046
Family of four, monthly$4,029

Estimated Prices in New York

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$14.63per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$58.50per meal
Cappuccino$4.39each
Monthly groceries (single person)$332per month
Monthly public transport pass$53.63per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$141per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$40.95per month
Fitness club membership$40.95per month
Cinema ticket$10.73each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$990per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$689per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$2,066per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in New York is $5,070 per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $1,664 with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $2,163 per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($689) represents about 41% of the total single-person budget.

Compare New York

New York vs Los AngelesNew York vs ChicagoNew York vs MiamiNew York vs HoustonNew York vs DallasNew York vs Philadelphia

Nearby Cities

Brooklyn

5 km away · New York

Hoboken

10 km away · New Jersey

Manhattan

11 km away · New York

Weehawken

11 km away · New Jersey

Union City

12 km away · New Jersey

Queens

12 km away · New York

Jersey City

12 km away · New Jersey

West New York

12 km away · New Jersey

Other Major Cities in United States

Los Angeles

California · pop. 11,984,083

$1,635 / mo

Chicago

Illinois · pop. 8,609,571

$1,635 / mo

Miami

Florida · pop. 6,391,670

$1,635 / mo

Houston

Texas · pop. 6,227,666

$1,635 / mo

Dallas

Texas · pop. 5,968,322

$1,635 / mo

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania · pop. 5,782,653

$1,635 / mo

Atlanta

Georgia · pop. 5,298,788

$1,635 / mo

Washington

District of Columbia · pop. 5,230,370

$1,635 / mo

Living in New York

New York is the capital and one of the key cities in United States. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $1,664, placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $689 per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $4,029 per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $3,046 monthly.

The average estimated net salary in New York is $5,070. To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $2,163 per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is New York expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $1,664 per month in New York including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for United States.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in New York?
A net salary of around $2,163 per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in New York with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in New York is $5,070.
How much is rent in New York?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $990 per month in the city centre and $689 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,066.
Is New York cheaper than United States on average?
No — New York is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the United States average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in New York?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $332 in New York. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $15 and a cappuccino runs around $4.
How do transport costs in New York compare?
A monthly public transport pass in New York is estimated at $54. Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for New York are estimates based on United States national averages adjusted for city size (population 19,268,388) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.