Living comfortably in New York isn’t cheap: How much you really need to earn

New York City offers immense opportunities—but also immense expenses. According to a new study by GOBankingRates, a single person needs to earn $184,420 per year to live comfortably in the “Big Apple,” reports NYP.

Analysts used 2024 U.S. Census data and information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate the necessary income in the 50 largest U.S. cities. They applied the 50/30/20 rule: 50% of income goes to essentials, 30% to discretionary spending, and 20% to savings. By this formula, surviving in New York requires about $92,210 annually, while living comfortably requires roughly double that amount.

Most city residents rent, meaning real expenses can be even higher. Rent often exceeds average mortgage payments depending on the neighborhood, and sharing apartments can reduce costs.

The most expensive U.S. city for comfortable living is San Jose, California, where the average home price tops $1.5 million. A single person would need $264,946 per year to maintain a decent lifestyle.

The next most expensive cities are:

• San Francisco, CA: $251,398

• San Diego, CA: $206,353

• Los Angeles, CA: $194,920

• New York, NY: $184,420

At the more affordable end of the spectrum is Detroit, Michigan, where living comfortably costs just $65,733 per year for one person.

Top 10 U.S. cities where comfortable living is most expensive:

1. San Jose, CA — $264,946

2. San Francisco, CA — $251,398

3. San Diego, CA — $206,353

4. Los Angeles, CA — $194,920

5. New York, NY — $184,420

6. Long Beach, CA — $179,359

7. Seattle, WA — $178,520

8. Boston, MA — $169,155

9. Oakland, CA — $163,559

10. Washington, D.C. — $157,960

Clearly, living in major metropolitan areas requires not only careful budgeting but also a substantial income.