Cost of living index
New York, NY
112.6 / 100
Living in New York, NY is 12.6% more expensive than the US average.
Overall prices
112.6
Housing / rent
148.6
vs US average
+12.6%
What it costs to live in New York, NY
New York, NY has an overall price level of 112.6 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 12.6% higher than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 148.6 it is 48.6% above the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Compare New York, NY with
Los Angeles, CAChicago, ILDallas, TXHouston, TXWashington, DCPhiladelphia, PAAtlanta, GAMiami, FLPhoenix, AZBoston, MARiverside, CA
Common questions
Is New York, NY an expensive place to live?
New York, NY has an overall cost-of-living index of 112.6, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 12.6% more expensive than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in New York, NY?
Housing in New York, NY scores 148.6 against a US average of 100 — roughly 48.6% above average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does New York, NY compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in New York, NY sit at 112.6 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 148.6. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.