Cost of Living in New York City, United States
New York City is a city in United States, where a single person can expect to spend about $4,404 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $4,478 per month, or $2,769 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 303 Mbps median download speed. On safety, New York City scores 45/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 86°F and winter highs around 48°F, with roughly 211 sunny days a year.
New York City Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in New York City
How New York City Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, New York City ranks in the top 2% for walkability, but costs more than 99% of them.
| Metric | New York City | World rank | Rank in United States & Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $4,404 | #339 of 340 | #80 of 80 |
| Safety | 45/100 | #261 of 340 | #41 of 80 |
| Healthcare | 63/100 | #217 of 340 | #74 of 80 |
| Internet speed | 303 Mbps | #13 of 340 | #1 of 80 |
| Walkability | 88/100 | #5 of 340 | #2 of 80 |
| Public transit | 89/100 | #8 of 340 | #1 of 80 |
| Food scene | 92/100 | #15 of 340 | #3 of 80 |
| Air quality | 72/100 | #265 of 340 | #78 of 80 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to New York City
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than New York City.
- Seattle, United States — $3,540/mo, 20% cheaper, safety 40/100
- Montreal, Canada — $1,932/mo, 56% cheaper, safety 78/100 · Compare with New York City
- Toronto, Canada — $2,049/mo, 53% cheaper, safety 77/100 · Compare with New York City
- Washington DC, United States — $3,667/mo, 17% cheaper, safety 42/100
Neighborhoods in New York City
Williamsburg · Lower East Side · East Village · SoHo · Harlem
New York City FAQ
How much does it cost to live in New York City?
A single person should budget around $4,404 per month in New York City, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $6,074 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in New York City?
A one-bedroom apartment in central New York City averages $4,478 per month, dropping to about $2,769 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $9,051.
Is New York City safe?
New York City scores 45/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 60/100.
How fast is the internet in New York City?
Median download speeds in New York City are around 303 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 200 coworking spaces in the city.
Does United States offer a digital nomad visa?
United States does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.
What is the weather like in New York City?
New York City sees summer highs around 86°F and winter highs near 48°F, with about 211 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 102 days.
New York City in our travel guides
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