Cost of Living in New York

(Last Updated – November 5, 2024)

Did you know that Central Park, at 843 acres, is bigger than the principality of Monaco? Or that the Empire State Building has its own zip code?

If you move to the state of New York, you could entertain your visitors with these fun facts and more. But before you pack your bags for the Empire State, understand that New York’s cost of living is among the highest in the country. From rent to transportation to childcare, here’s a closer look at how much it costs to live in New York.

What’s the Average Cost of Living in New York?

If you’re in a New York State of mind, you may need an average monthly budget of $4,881 to get by. New York is the fourth most expensive state in the U.S. after Hawaii, California, and Massachusetts, according to 2022 data from MERIC (the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center). MERIC compiles data on the national average cost of living in the U.S., which forms a baseline of 100. New York state’s cost-of-living index is 123.5 — 23.5 points above the national average.

There’s no getting around it: The average monthly expenses for one person are high, and if you have a family, the costs climb. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts the average cost of living in New York at $58,571 per year. New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the country, while more rural areas of New York State have a lower cost of living.

Here’s what you can expect to pay in New York State in major spending categories.

Housing Costs in New York

Average Housing Costs in New York: $1,008 to $1,864 per month

New York has over 8.6 million housing units, according to the latest U.S. Census data. The typical home value in New York is $478,973, Zillow reports, more than $100,000 above the U.S. average home value of $359,852. (If you are looking for a home loan in New York, remember to check into whether you qualify as a first-time homebuyer, as there are special programs for those who are buying a first home or who haven’t owned a primary residence in the last three years.)

If you’re a renter, here’s what to expect in monthly average costs:

•  Studio: $1,444

•  1 bedroom: $1,419

•  2 bedrooms: $1,502

•  3 bedrooms: $1,673

•  4 bedrooms: $1,845

•  5 or more bedrooms: $1,749

•  Median gross rent: $1,499

For those looking to buy a home, understand that there’s a lot of variation in house prices across the state of New York. You’d end up spending a lot more to live in the Big Apple than you would in a small town upstate — New York City is never going to wind up on anyone’s list of the best affordable places in the U.S. In fact, many buyers in New York City need a jumbo loan.

The good news: For qualified homebuyers, down payment assistance programs are available to help defray some of the cost associated with a home purchase.

Here are some typical home values in cities throughout New York State.

Utility Costs in New York

Average Utility Costs in New York: $410 per month

Along with your mortgage or rent payments, you’ll also have to factor the cost of utilities into your monthly budget. Here’s how the average utility bills break down in New York by major category.

Groceries & Food

Average Grocery & Food Costs in New York: $1,401 per month

When hunger strikes, how much can you expect to spend on food in New York? According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the average annual spend on non-restaurant food is $4,119 per person in New York, which comes out to about $343 per month.

As with housing, though, average food costs can vary depending on where you live in New York. Here’s how the Council for Community and Economic Research ranks the cost of groceries in various New York places in early 2024, from lowest to highest.

Transportation

If you’re living outside a major urban area, chances are you’ll need a car to get from place to place. Those who dwell in New York City, on the other hand, will likely rely on the subway for transportation. Either way, here’s how much you can expect transportation to cost you in New York, depending on your family size, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Living Wage Calculator .

Health Care

Healthcare can be a major cost in the United States. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the average annual per capita cost of healthcare in New York is $10,124. By comparison, the average annual per capita cost in the U.S. as a whole is $8,331.

Child Care

Child care can be a big expense and varies depending on the type of care you choose. Here’s what you can expect to pay for child care each month in New York, according to CostofChildCare.org .

Taxes

Highest Marginal Tax Rate in New York: 10.90%

New York has some of the highest tax rates in the country. State income taxes can go up to 10.90% for residents at the top of the graduated-rate income scale. The only states with higher tax rates are California (13.30%) and Hawaii (11.00%).

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Miscellaneous Costs

The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that you might spend $32,720 per year on personal expenses in New York. With no shortage of activities to choose from in the state, what might you spend some of that money on?

Here are a few miscellaneous costs you could have:

•  Broadway theater tickets: $20 – $145

•  Tour of top deck of Empire State Building: $79

•  Ice skating at Rockefeller Center: $21 – $114

•  Ticket to Yankee Stadium: Starting at $9.90

•  Maid of the Mist boat tour of Niagara Falls: $28.50

•  Season ski pass in New York State: $305 – $1,699

How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in New York?

Everyone has their own definition of what it means to live comfortably, and your costs will vary depending on your lifestyle, how many people are in your family, and other factors. That said, U.S. News & World Report puts New York at number 45 on its state affordability ranking, just after California; Hawaii; New Jersey; Washington, DC; and Massachusetts. MERIC also has New York near the bottom of its list for affordability with a cost of living index of 123.5.

However, where you choose to live in New York can make a big difference to your costs and lifestyle. New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the country, whereas a rural town upstate will have significantly lower costs.

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What City Has the Lowest Cost of Living in New York?

If you’re looking for an affordable city in New York to call home, here are three options worth exploring, based on the Council for Community and Economic Research’s Cost of Living Index.

Herkimer County

Cost of living index: 94.8; median home sale price $170,000 per Redfin. (Herkimer County is northwest of Albany; towns there include Herkimer and Mohawk.)

Buffalo

Cost of living index: 96.0; median home sale price $201,000 per Redfin

Utica

Cost of living index: 96.8; median home sale price $175,000 per Redfin

Helpful Resources for Future New York Residents