Updated November 7, 2026 · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Cost of Living in New York, NY

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.

Salary comparison calculator

What would you need to earn in New York, NY to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?

How expensive is New York, NY?

With a price level of 112.6 (U.S. average = 100), New York, NY is one of the most expensive places in the country. In detail, housing costs run 49% above average; everyday goods run 10% above average; utilities run 27% above average; other services such as healthcare and dining run 6% above average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.

Prices in New York, NY vs. the U.S. average

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.

Rent in New York, NY

HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.

Salary needed to live in New York, NY

To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:

Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, New York 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.

A monthly budget on the median wage

A single worker earning New York, NY's median wage of $61,430 takes home about $4,068 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $2,378, which is 58% of take-home pay — well above the 30% guideline, so many workers here share housing or rent smaller units. That leaves about $1,690 a month for everything else.

Take-home pay in New York, NY

New York City residents also pay a city income tax: about $1,946 a year on the $61,430 median wage, leaving $46,873. Select “New York City” under City income tax above to include it.

Highest-paying jobs in New York, NY

*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.

New York, NY vs. similar-size cities

Frequently asked questions

Top salaries by field in New York, NY

Management Occupations

• Chief Executive — $239,200+
• Financial Manager — $221,010
• Computer and Information Systems Manager — $215,300
• Sales Manager — $215,150
• Marketing Manager — $192,840
• Public Relations Manager — $192,360
• Human Resources Manager — $185,100
• Architectural and Engineering Manager — $183,890

Business and Financial Operations Occupations

• Personal Financial Advisor — $170,050
• Financial Risk Specialist — $139,670
• Credit Analyst — $136,500
• Financial Examiner — $133,380
• Financial and Investment Analyst — $128,930
• Project Management Specialist — $126,660
• Management Analyst — $124,390
• Financial Specialists, All Other — $109,580

Computer and Mathematical Occupations

• Software Developer — $166,830
• Computer Network Architect — $163,010
• Actuary — $161,460
• Information Security Analyst — $140,470
• Data Scientist — $135,980
• Database Architect — $131,540
• Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $130,540
• Computer Systems Analyst — $128,340

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

• Engineers, All Other — $135,300
• Electrical Engineer — $128,340
• Mechanical Engineer — $109,990
• Civil Engineer — $107,330
• Industrial Engineer — $105,840
• Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $99,710
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $82,000
• Architectural and Civil Drafter — $77,170

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

• Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $120,510
• School Psychologist — $117,540
• Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — $107,170
• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $103,360
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $96,320
• Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $85,510
• Chemist — $85,150
• Social Science Research Assistant — $65,330

Community and Social Service Occupations

• Marriage and Family Therapist — $91,130
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker — $82,450
• Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist — $79,370
• Healthcare Social Worker — $78,610
• Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $77,580
• Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other — $66,580
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $66,540
• Health Education Specialist — $64,110

Legal Occupations

• Lawyer — $208,880
• Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $75,330

Educational Instruction and Library Occupations

• Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary — $128,090
• Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary — $123,210
• Business Teachers, Postsecondary — $104,770
• Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary — $102,740
• Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary — $100,950
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $100,800
• Special Education Teachers, Secondary School — $100,430
• Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School — $99,830

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

• Art Director — $142,990
• Producer and Director — $108,460
• Film and Video Editor — $104,590
• Editor — $102,120
• News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists — $101,670
• Fashion Designer — $99,560
• Commercial and Industrial Designer — $94,890
• Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film — $93,410

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

• Anesthesiologist — $239,200+
• Surgeons, All Other — $239,200+
• Obstetrician and Gynecologist — $239,200+
• Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
• Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
• Family Medicine Physician — $239,200+
• Psychiatrist — $239,200+
• Pediatricians, General — $216,040

Healthcare Support Occupations

• Physical Therapist Assistant — $75,620
• Medical Equipment Preparer — $58,870
• Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $57,820
• Massage Therapist — $50,600
• Phlebotomist — $49,980
• Psychiatric Aide — $49,840
• Nursing Assistant — $49,270
• Dental Assistant — $48,430

Protective Service Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $135,270
• First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $132,810
• Detective and Criminal Investigator — $106,440
• Firefighter — $106,420
• Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $105,540
• Correctional Officer and Jailer — $93,220
• Bailiff — $83,360
• Transportation Security Screener — $72,340

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

• Chef and Head Cook — $71,780
• Bartender — $61,220
• First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $48,690
• Waiter and Waitress — $47,610
• Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $46,870
• Cooks, Restaurant — $43,740
• Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $39,120
• Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $36,980

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers — $74,610
• First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers — $59,990
• Pest Control Worker — $49,940
• Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $45,530
• Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $44,010
• Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $42,840

Personal Care and Service Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $58,720
• First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $54,530
• Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $53,580
• Concierge — $51,190
• Baggage Porter and Bellhop — $48,610
• Residential Advisor — $47,510
• Skincare Specialist — $46,490
• Recreation Worker — $38,440

Sales and Related Occupations

• Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $167,890
• Sales Engineer — $147,570
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $133,690
• First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $116,980
• Real Estate Sales Agent — $103,550
• Advertising Sales Agent — $99,010
• Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $93,750
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $81,140

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

• Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $83,840
• First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $80,760
• Brokerage Clerk — $78,930
• Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $75,920
• Postal Service Clerk — $63,650
• Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk — $63,500
• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $63,130
• Financial Clerks, All Other — $62,140

Construction and Extraction Occupations

• Elevator and Escalator Installer and Repairer — $136,000
• First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $103,990
• Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $95,050
• Brickmason and Blockmason — $92,300
• Construction and Building Inspector — $90,800
• Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operator — $87,150
• Electrician — $79,020
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $78,610

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

• Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician — $127,140
• Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer — $122,480
• Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door — $103,780
• Telecommunications Line Installer and Repairer — $102,550
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $97,560
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay — $96,170
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines — $78,060
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $77,990

Production Occupations

• Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator — $104,810
• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator — $83,320
• First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $81,790
• Machinist — $62,750
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $61,680
• Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker — $61,360
• Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator — $58,900
• Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $58,520

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

• Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers — $239,200+
• Flight Attendant — $127,740
• Transportation Inspector — $93,420
• Subway and Streetcar Operator — $90,140
• Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster — $80,000
• Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — $78,130
• First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $71,510
• Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector — $65,310

Other cities in New York

• Buffalo, NY
• Rochester, NY
• Albany, NY
• Syracuse, NY
• Kiryas Joel, NY
• Utica, NY
• Binghamton, NY
• Kingston, NY
• Glens Falls, NY
• Ithaca, NY

New York paycheck calculator →