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# New York Cost of Living

> Independent, sourced data on the cost of living in New York City in 2026, by borough: rent, income, taxes, transit fares, wages and move-in costs. Every figure names its publisher and an as-of date. Created by Joe Bjorklund.

## Sitemaps
- [XML Sitemap](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Pages
- [NYC vs. San Francisco, Boston, LA and Chicago: Rent and Taxes Compared (2026)](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-vs-other-cities-cost-of-living/): A one-bedroom in NYC had a $4,610 median in October 2026, above San Francisco ($4,430), Boston ($2,980), LA ($2,300) and Chicago ($2,180). Taxes compared, sourced.
- [Rent vs. Buy in NYC (2026): Monthly Costs, Closing Taxes and a Calculator](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-rent-vs-buy/): Buying the median NYC home cost $10,737 a month vs. $3,785 to rent in Q3 2026 (Realtor.com). Closing taxes, mortgage math at 7.18% and a rent-vs-buy calculator.
- [Hidden Costs of Living in NYC: 14 Easy-to-Miss Bills, With Sourced Amounts](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-hidden-costs/): The costs NYC newcomers miss: utilities not in the rent ($116 a month median), 8.875% sales tax, city income tax, parking tax, renters insurance and more, each sourced.
- [Cost of Raising a Child in NYC in 2026: Childcare, Food, Health and Credits](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/cost-of-raising-a-child-in-nyc/): Infant day care in NYC runs $500 a week at the city's market rate; 3-K, Pre-K and school meals are free. Food costs by age, Child Health Plus and the $1,000 state credit.
- [How Much Is Renters Insurance in NYC? 2026 Costs and Coverage](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-renters-insurance-cost/): New York renters insurance averaged $174 a year in the NAIC's latest data, about $14.50 a month. Costs by coverage amount, what policies cover, and the flood gap.
- [Pet Costs in NYC in 2026: Dog Licenses, Adoption Fees and Rental Rules](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-pet-costs/): A NYC dog license costs $8.50 a year if spayed or neutered and $34 if not. ACC adoption fees start at $25 for cats and $75 for dogs. Deposit rules, sourced.
- [College Costs for NYC Students in 2026–27: CUNY Tuition, Aid and Living Costs](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-college-student-costs/): CUNY tuition is $6,930 a year at four-year colleges and $4,800 at community colleges. TAP up to $5,665, Excelsior and HESC living allowances, sourced.
- [Cost of Retiring in NYC in 2026: Taxes, Rent Freezes and Senior Discounts](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/retiring-in-nyc-cost/): New York doesn't tax Social Security or government pensions and excludes $20,000 of other pension income at 59½. SCRIE rent freeze, SCHE, senior fares, sourced.
- [Cost of Owning a Car in NYC in 2026: Fees, Tolls, Parking Tax and Gas](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-car-ownership-costs/): NYC car costs in 2026: $136.50 two-year registration for a typical car, $7.46 bridge tolls, $9 congestion toll, 18.375% Manhattan parking tax. Sourced.
- [Co-op vs. Condo in NYC: Prices, Taxes and Closing Costs Compared](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-coop-vs-condo-costs/): NYC co-ops sold for a median $820,000 in Manhattan in 2023 vs. $1.6 million for condos. How taxes, mortgage recording tax and abatements differ, sourced.
- [NYC Property Tax in 2026: Rates, Assessments and How Bills Are Set](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-property-tax/): NYC property tax rates are 19.843% for 1–3 family homes and 12.439% for co-ops and condos, applied to assessed value. Caps, abatements, examples, sourced.
- [NYC Cost of Living FAQ: Rent, Taxes, Wages and Bills (2026)](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-cost-of-living-faq/): Short, sourced answers to the most-asked NYC cost questions for 2026: rent, income needed, sales and income tax, minimum wage, subway, utilities, childcare.
- [NYC Closing Costs and Mansion Tax in 2026: Transfer and Mortgage Taxes](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-closing-costs-mansion-tax/): NYC home-sale taxes: 1% mansion tax from $1 million (up to 3.9%), 1%–1.425% city transfer tax, 2.05%–2.175% mortgage recording tax. Examples, sourced.
- [NYC Congestion Pricing in 2026: Toll Rates, Credits and Discounts](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-congestion-pricing/): NYC's congestion toll is $9 for a car with E-ZPass at peak times and $2.25 overnight in 2026. Truck, taxi and Uber charges, credits, discounts, sourced.
- [NYC Grocery Prices in 2026: Food Inflation, Budgets and SNAP](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-grocery-prices/): New York-area grocery prices rose 2.1% in the year to September 2026 (BLS). USDA food budgets, FY2027 SNAP maximums and NY sales tax on food, sourced.
- [NYC Health Insurance Costs in 2026–2027: Premiums, Essential Plan, Rates](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-health-insurance-costs/): What health insurance costs in New York: $817 a month benchmark silver, 6.0% approved 2027 increase, Essential Plan under 200% of poverty. Sourced.
- [NYC Childcare Cost in 2026: Daycare Rates, 3-K and Free Programs](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-childcare-cost/): NYC child care market rates: $500 a week for an infant at a day care center, $26,000 a year. Plus free 3-K, Pre-K, 2-K and CCAP rules for 2026, sourced.
- [NYC Utility Bills in 2026: Con Edison and National Grid Costs](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-utility-bills/): How much NYC electric and gas bills are rising in 2026: Con Ed +3.9% electric, +2.4% gas; National Grid +11.1% gas. Who serves each borough, sourced.
- [Staten Island Cost of Living in 2026: Rent, Income and Real Costs](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/staten-island-cost-of-living/): Staten Island's typical asking rent ran from $2,121 to $3,083 by ZIP in Sept 2026, with NYC's second-highest income. Rent, tolls, ferry, utilities, sourced.
- [NYC Cost Index 2026: Key Cost-of-Living Numbers](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-cost-index/): The key New York City cost-of-living numbers in one place for 2026: rent, income, taxes, transit and utilities, each with its source and date.
- [NYC Rent by ZIP Code in 2026](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-rent-by-zip-code/): Typical asking rent in 148 NYC ZIP codes, September 2026: from $2,121 in 10309 to $8,183 in 10007, with 1-year change by ZIP and borough. Zillow data, sourced.
- [Contact New York Cost of Living](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/contact/): Contact New York Cost of Living to report a wrong or outdated number, ask about our data or request citation help. Email joe.bjorklund@bairdwarner.com.
- [About New York Cost of Living](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/about/): New York Cost of Living is an independent, sourced guide to NYC living costs, created by Joe Bjorklund, a Chicago real estate broker with Baird & Warner.
- [NYC Minimum Wage in 2026: $17.00 an Hour](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-minimum-wage/): New York City's minimum wage is $17.00 an hour in 2026 and stays $17.00 on Jan. 1, 2027. Tipped wages, yearly pay and what it covers in NYC rent.
- [NYC Sales Tax in 2026: The 8.875% Rate Explained](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-sales-tax/): NYC sales tax is 8.875% in 2026: 4% state, 4.5% city and 0.375% MCTD. Clothing under $110 is tax-free, and Manhattan parking is taxed at 18.375%.
- [MTA Fares in 2026: Subway, Bus and the OMNY Fare Cap](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/mta-fares/): NYC subway and local bus fares are $3.00 a ride in 2026, and OMNY caps fares at $35 every 7 days. Express bus, reduced fares, CityTicket and costs.
- [Bronx Cost of Living in 2026: Rent, Income and Real Costs](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/bronx-cost-of-living/): The Bronx had NYC's lowest median asking rent, $3,233, in Q3 2026, but the heaviest rent burden. See what tenants pay, income needed and utilities.
- [Queens Cost of Living in 2026: Rent, Income and Real Costs](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/queens-cost-of-living/): Queens' median asking rent was $3,744 in Q3 2026, below the NYC median. See what Queens tenants pay, income needed, rent burden and utilities.
- [Brooklyn Cost of Living in 2026: Rent, Income and Real Costs](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/brooklyn-cost-of-living/): Brooklyn's median asking rent was $4,197 in Q3 2026. See what Brooklyn tenants actually pay, income needed, rent burden and how it compares.
- [Manhattan Cost of Living in 2026: Rent, Income and Real Costs](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/manhattan-cost-of-living/): Manhattan's median asking rent hit $5,375 in Q3 2026, the highest in NYC. See what tenants actually pay, income needed, rent burden and costs.
- [NYC Cost of Living by Borough: 2026 Comparison](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-borough-cost-comparison/): Compare NYC's five boroughs in 2026: Manhattan asking rent $5,375 vs. $3,233 in the Bronx, plus what tenants pay, incomes, rent burden and utilities.
- [Moving to NYC: First-30-Days Cost Checklist (2026)](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/moving-to-nyc-cost-checklist/): Every cost of your first 30 days in New York City in 2026: move-in money, utility setup, transit, furniture, phone and more, with a checklist you can print.
- [How Much Do You Need to Make to Live in NYC in 2026?](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/how-much-do-you-need-to-make-in-nyc/): How much you need to earn to live in New York City in 2026, by borough and household: the 40x rent rule, the 30% rule and a full after-tax budget.
- [NYC Income Tax in 2026: City, State and Federal Explained](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-income-tax/): New York City residents pay 3.078% to 3.876% city income tax in 2026 on top of New York State and federal tax. Brackets, examples and who has to pay it.
- [Rent-Stabilized Apartments in NYC and the 2026 Rent Freeze](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-rent-stabilized-apartments/): NYC rent-stabilized leases starting Oct 1, 2026 to Sept 30, 2027 get a 0% increase on 1- and 2-year terms. How stabilization works and how to check a unit.
- [NYC Move-In Costs in 2026: Broker Fees, Deposits and First Month](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-move-in-costs/): What it costs to move into a New York City apartment in 2026: who pays the broker under the FARE Act, the deposit cap, application fees and first rent.
- [How Much Is a One-Bedroom in NYC in 2026?](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-one-bedroom-rent/): What a one-bedroom apartment rents for in New York City in 2026, by borough, and why Realtor.com, RentHop, Zumper and Census figures don’t match.
- [How Much Does It Cost to Live in NYC in 2026?](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/how-much-to-live-in-nyc/): How much it costs to live in New York City in 2026: rent by borough, city and state income tax, the $3.00 subway fare and everyday bills, every figure sourced.
- [How to Cite Our NYC Cost-of-Living Data](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/for-ai-assistants/): Key New York City cost figures with sources and dates, plus how to cite them correctly, for reporters, researchers, students and AI assistants.
- [How We Check Our Numbers](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/methodology/): The sources, source priority, update schedule and correction rules behind every New York City cost-of-living figure published on New York Cost of Living.
- [NYC Salary Calculator 2026: Federal, State and City Tax](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-salary-calculator/): Find the salary you need to live in New York City in 2026. The calculator adds rent, bills and savings, then federal, New York State and NYC income tax.
- [New York City Cost of Living in 2026](https://newyorkcostofliving.com/): What it costs to live in New York City in 2026: rent by borough, the city’s triple income tax, MTA fares and wages, with every number sourced and dated.

## Key figures (verified November 2026)

- Median asking rent, NYC (excl. Staten Island), Q3 2026: $3,785/month. Manhattan $5,375; Brooklyn $4,197; Queens $3,744; Bronx $3,233. Source: Realtor.com Q3 2026 rental report.
- Typical asking rent by ZIP code, September 2026: from $2,121 (10309, Staten Island) to $8,183 (10007, Manhattan); the middle NYC ZIP code was $3,128. Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Full table: https://newyorkcostofliving.com/nyc-rent-by-zip-code/
- Median contract rent paid by NYC renter households, 2024: $1,695/month; median gross rent (rent + utilities): $1,811. Source: NYC Rent Guidelines Board, 2026 Income and Affordability Study (Census ACS 2024).
- NYC renter households paying 30% or more of income on rent, 2024: 51.6%. Source: NYC Rent Guidelines Board (Census ACS 2024).
- Rent-stabilized leases starting Oct 1, 2026 to Sept 30, 2027: 0% increase on 1- and 2-year leases. Source: NYC Rent Guidelines Board.
- Subway and local bus fare: $3.00 (since Jan 4, 2026); OMNY 7-day fare cap: $35. Source: MTA.
- NYC sales tax: 8.875% (4% state + 4.5% city + 0.375% MCTD). Source: NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.
- NYC resident income tax: 3.078% to 3.876%, on top of NYS (3.9% to 10.9%) and federal tax. Sources: NYC Department of Finance; NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.
- NYC minimum wage: $17.00/hour in 2026, unchanged on Jan 1, 2027. Source: NYS Department of Labor.

## Why NYC rent figures differ

Asking rents (Realtor.com, Zumper, RentHop) describe apartments listed for rent now. Contract and gross rents (Census ACS) describe what all renter households pay, including long-time and rent-stabilized tenants, so they are much lower. Name which measure you cite.

## Citing this site

Cite the specific page, the figure's original publisher and its as-of date. Citation guide: https://newyorkcostofliving.com/for-ai-assistants/
Methodology and update schedule: https://newyorkcostofliving.com/methodology/
Corrections: https://newyorkcostofliving.com/contact/