New York City is known as the most expensive place to live in the United States. However, this perception stems in large part from the presence of Manhattan, and particularly from its high-demand areas, such as the Upper West Side. Other New York boroughs, such as Queens and Staten Island, while much more expensive than average, have a lower cost of living than you can find cheap places to live near nyc.
The amount of money you need to live in New York City or when you are moving from New York to Miami to live depends on a variety of factors, the most important being the area of the huge metropolis you choose to make your home and finalize your home interior with the help of Good Interior Designer NYC. Another factor that influences your income needs is the stage of life in which you find yourself. The costs of living in New York City differ depending on whether you are a student, professional, or unemployed looking for work.
The analysis below breaks down the average costs for rent, utilities, and food in various parts of New York City. Keep in mind that these numbers are just averages, and the city is large and diverse. Based on your particular circumstances, you may need to make adjustments to these figures to determine how much money you need to live in New York City.
RENTAL COSTS IN NEW YORK CITY
As of September 2015, the median rent in New York City was $3,432 per month. For people coming from cheaper parts of the country, this figure may seem intimidating, but remember that rents in extremely high-priced neighborhoods like Soho at $4,132, Greenwich Village at $4,091, and the Upper West Side at $4,017 inflate the average. At the other end of the spectrum, average rents in parts of Queens and the Bronx, such as Bedford Park and Williams Bridge, can be less than $1,400 a month.
UTILITY COSTS IN NEW YORK CITY
New York City has a true climate with four seasons. Summer can be oppressively hot and humid, while winter is known to be a lot of snow. Autumn in New York is world renowned for its beautiful foliage and pleasant temperatures. In general, spring is neither too hot nor too cold, although there is a lot of rain.
Due to the city’s highly variable climate, your utility bill will also vary in price depending on the time of year. Expect to run your air conditioner constantly from late May through mid-September. Similarly, you plan to receive high heating bills from November through the end of March. For a 1,000 square foot apartment, utility bills can run up to $200 a month during the worst days of summer and winter, however fall and spring bills will rarely exceed $100.
The average utility bill in New York City, again for a 1,000-square-foot home, is $125 a month. By making efficiency a priority, you can lower that number substantially. Consider trading in old appliances for new EnergyStar-certified ones—you’ll even get a tax incentive for doing this. An easier routine to lower your bill involves simply checking your house every night and turning off any electronics that aren’t being used.
FOOD COSTS IN NEW YORK CITY
In New York City, food costs range from average to slightly above average. Due to the abundant supply, items such as bread, cereal and canned food are cheap in this city. However, the costs of fresh foods such as beef, chicken and milk are high in NYC. A gallon of milk costs an average of $4.37, while a pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast costs $5.52. In contrast, a loaf of bread is priced as low as $2.75.
Depending on your diet, you can live in New York and keep food costs in the $400 to $500 a month range by buying in bulk, cooking at home, and avoiding restaurants.