Cost of Living in New York City
New York City is consistently ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world, driven largely by high demand for real estate and premium services. Residents typically face significantly higher costs for housing and dining compared to the national average, though the city offers an extensive public transit system that can offset the need for a vehicle.
Overview text is model-generated; see the note below.
Report an issue with this estimate
Monthly Cost Estimate
excluding rent
including 1-bedroom rent
Single person in New York City. Totals are the sum of the category ranges below (low ends added together, high ends added together), so a real budget usually falls somewhere in between.
Cost Breakdown by Category
Housing & Rent
$2,600 – $4,800
Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment, ranging from outer boroughs to prime Manhattan neighborhoods.
Food & Groceries
$650 – $1,100
Monthly grocery expenses and a mix of casual to mid-range dining.
Transportation
$135 – $300
Unlimited MetroCard, occasional rideshares, and Citi Bike memberships.
Utilities
$180 – $350
Electricity, heating, water, and high-speed internet for a standard apartment.
Healthcare
$450 – $800
Monthly health insurance premiums for individuals and typical co-pays.
Entertainment
$250 – $600
Gym memberships, movie tickets, bars, and cultural events.
Build your own monthly budget
Starts at the midpoint of each estimate for New York City. Type your own amounts to see your total and annual figure. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
Estimate: $2,600 – $4,800
Estimate: $650 – $1,100
Estimate: $135 – $300
Estimate: $180 – $350
Estimate: $450 – $800
Estimate: $250 – $600
Yearly: $6,108 × 12 = $73,296. Excludes taxes, debt payments, savings, childcare, education, car ownership and one-off costs such as deposits or moving.
New to ranges? Read how to turn these estimates into a personal budget.
Comfortable Living
Estimated monthly spending for a comfortable lifestyle in New York City, with regular dining out and leisure:
Including rent • Single person • Excludes income tax and savings • A separate model estimate, not derived from the category totals above
Frequently Asked Questions about New York City
The first answer is calculated from the figures on this page. The others are model-generated text; answers that quoted older dollar figures are hidden so they cannot contradict the totals above.