Cost of Living in New York, NY is
77.0% Higher
than the National Average

Did the Cost of Living in New York, NY increase in 2024? New York, NY area prices were up 1.6% from a year ago. The largest increases were found in Transportation, Food, and Housing.
By using Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator, you can make a cost of living comparison of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and salary differentials of over 300+ US cities. Let us help you make an informed decision about what it will cost to live and work in the city of your dreams!
About New York, New York    The City of New York, usually called either New York City (NYC) or simply New York (NY), is the most populous city in the United States. With an estim....More
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while New York's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $15 per hour in 2024. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting Minimum Wage Values in New York, NY

Cost of Living Calculator



Cost of Living in other Major Cities

City, State Compared to national average
City, State San Francisco, CA Compared to national average
+ 86.5%
City, State Washington, DC Compared to national average
+ 45.2%
City, State Miami, FL Compared to national average
+ 15.4%
City, State Chicago, IL Compared to national average
+ 12.4%
City, State Boston, MA Compared to national average
+ 53.1%
City, State Dallas, TX Compared to national average
+ 7.0%

Cost of Living New York, NY by Expense Category

Category Compared to national average
CategoryEnergy Compared to national average
-0.3%
CategoryFood Compared to national average
+ 6.7%
CategoryHealthcare Compared to national average
+ 3.7%
CategoryHousing Compared to national average
+ 53.9%
CategoryTransportation Compared to national average
+ 7.3%

Cost of Living Comparison with New York, NY

If you move to New York from one of these cities, you would have these the changes of your cost of living.


Move From Move To Cost Of Living Comparison
Move FromSan Francisco, CA Move ToNew York, NY Cost Of Living Comparision
-9.5%
Move FromWashington, DC Move ToNew York, NY Cost Of Living Comparision
+ 31.8%
Move FromMiami, FL Move ToNew York, NY Cost Of Living Comparision
+ 61.6%
Move FromChicago, IL Move ToNew York, NY Cost Of Living Comparision
+ 64.6%
Move FromBoston, MA Move ToNew York, NY Cost Of Living Comparision
+ 23.9%
Move FromDallas, TX Move ToNew York, NY Cost Of Living Comparision
+ 70.0%

Based on this cost of living comparison, you can see:
If you move from Chicago IL, Dallas, TX, or Miami, FL, the percent increase of your cost of living could be 22.8%, 37.8%, and 24.8%. Looks like this move could have a negative net change in disposable income, so please think carefully!
If you move from New York, NY, San Francisco, CA, or Washington, DC, the percent reduction of your cost of living could be -43.50%, -23%, and -20.10%, that's good news to you that you could be looking at a positive net change in disposable income.


About New York, NY

The City of New York, usually called either New York City (NYC) or simply New York (NY), is the most populous city in the United States. With an estimated 2017 population of 8,622,698 distributed over a land area of about 302.6 square miles (784 km2), New York is also the most densely populated major city in the United States. Located at the southern tip of the state of New York, the city is the center of the New York metropolitan area, the largest metropolitan area in the world by urban landmass and one of the world's most populous megacities, with an estimated 20,320,876 people in its 2017 M...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia


Comments about the Cost of Living in New York, NY

Will the cost of food in New York impact the overall cost of living there?

Yes, cost of food is important as we all have to eat! There are ways to save money on your food expenses if you plan carefully. Check out stores like Carrefour to buy items in bulk at a considerable savings. At different times of the year you can get local produce for low prices at roadside stands or farmer’s markets. There are lots of ways to reduce food expenses and lower your overall cost of living in New York. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

Are there good recreational opportunities in or near New York?

If you love sports, you will love New York! Since there are football, baseball, basketball, hockey teams, you can go to a lot of games. Keep in mind that the tickets tend to be expensive, so you need to manage your entertainment budget carefully. Sometimes you can get discount tickets on line. Some people purchase a season ticket with a group of friends and take turns going to the games. Sports tickets can increase your cost of living in New York, but if you are a true sports fan it is worth it. In New York, the games are usually shown on local TV and you can host a party of friends and watch the game together. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

Are there any good ways to save money on Cable TV and internet service in New York?

The average cost of internet access in the U.S. is $66.20 per month. There are many providers and various packages that are offered, many that bundle internet, cable, and phone together. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. You should evaluate the options based on your usage and preferences and pick the best fit for your needs. One tip to reduce this cost and your overall cost of living, is to get cable service from another source like Direct TV, Netflix, Sling, Amazon Prime or others. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

I am moving with children, what should I do to make the move less stressful for them and myself?

Make sure your child has a favorite toy, doll, game, clothing, blanket, snacks, etc. to take with them during the transition. Once you arrive, let your child help with arranging and decorating their new room. You may be tempted to unpack everything when you arrive, but make sure you take a break from unpacking to spend time playing and relaxing with your child. Plan on packing a special bag to take with you with those items that you will need first. Towels, soap, a few basic kitchen utensils and food items like crackers, tea, juice, will make your new location functional as soon as you arrive and fell more like home. A small new toy, book, or video that you give to your child when you arrive might help them to feel happy and relaxed in the new location. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

How do rental housing prices in New York impact the overall cost of living?

I am single and live in New York, I rent a small 1 bedroom and the monthly rent is $1682 . Rent contributes to a large part of the overall cost of living in New York, I try to economize by having a small apartment. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

Are there fun things to in New York that are free or don’t cost a lot?

Looks for areas of New York where there is a large student population. In those areas you will be sure to find lots of free or cheap events to go to and plenty of cheap places to eat. Familiarize yourself with the places where students hang out, and take advantage of discounted or bargain prices, you are sure to be able to keep your cost of living reasonable. Look at the website for New York to find recommendations for activities that are available and unique to the area. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

Will I have to pay a lot in taxes if I move to New York?

The sales tax for New York is 4%. This is the tax that you will pay on things that you buy. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

I need to use public transportation, what is it like in New York?

New York is considered to have a very good public transport system. New York is ranked NO. 5 in U.S for public transportation availability. Utilizing public transportation could reduce commuting costs in New York. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

I hate to drive in traffic, does New York have traffic problems?

If you are planning to drive to work, you will be spending a lot of time and gas to get there. New York is one of the Worst cities in the United States for driving. New York is ranked number 94 out of 100 major cities. Plan on spending more on gas and auto expenses if you move to New York, resulting in a higher cost of living. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

What is the average commute time in New York?

In New York, the average commute time is about 42.53 minutes. This can vary depending on the time of day, day of week, and the weather and road conditions. If the weather is bad, commute time can double! You should factor this commuting time into your overall cost of living, since your time has value. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

How much is a monthly pass for public transit in New York, New York?

The cost of a monthly transit pass in New York, NY is around $116.50. Ask your employer if they offer discounted passes to save even more money and reduce your cost of commuting and overall Cost of Living (COL). ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )



Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?

In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )


Last Update: 2024-02-26