New York, New York
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching New York.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in New York?
For relocators asking how much New York costs: the housing index sits at 190 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $751,700 and rents near $1,779. Local median income is about $79,713 and unemployment recently ran 4.0% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 41 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 570.7 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 190U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $751,700U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,779U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $79,713U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.0%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 41 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 570.7per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 83°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how New York compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 8,478,072City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $79,713Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($78,538)U.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 190ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year90% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $751,700City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year148% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,779City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year32% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.0%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 41 min64% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 8896% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 570.7annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)Near U.S. avg (586.6)U.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 1459.6annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)53% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 83°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 30°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 49.5 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals50% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 240As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals10% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
New York grew 3.5% from 8,190,209 in 2010 to 8,478,072 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is New York expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, New York runs 90 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 190 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $751,700 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,779 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in New York?
Budget first around $1,779/month rent or $751,700 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $751,700
- Median rent $1,779/month
- Median household income $79,713
What is the job market like in New York?
Labor-market context for New York: unemployment 4.0% and median income $79,713. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.0% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $79,713
How long is the typical commute in New York?
Plan on roughly 41 minutes each way in New York. Walk Score estimates around 88 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 41 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 88/100
Is New York safer than similar U.S. cities?
New York's FBI-derived violent rate (~570.7/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 570.7 per 100k
- Property 1459.6 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in New York?
New York's climate profile: 83°F summer peaks, 30°F winter mornings, 49.5" annual rainfall, and 240 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 83°F
- Winter low 30°F
- 49.5 in rain · 240 sunny days
Which neighborhoods do relocators research in New York?
Manhattan is the name relocators hear first; compare it with Brooklyn and Queens once you know your job location.
- Manhattan
- Brooklyn
- Queens
What nearby city comparisons involve New York?
These curated pair pages put New York beside another high-intent destination with the same proprietary metrics table.
About 8,478,072 people live in New York, NY. Households here report a median income near $79,713; our housing-derived cost index is about 190 (well above the national housing-cost baseline). Entry home prices around $751,700 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Snow-belt Upstate and transit-heavy downstate markets feel like different worlds. Pack for 83°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 30°F. Commutes average near 41 minutes one-way, with walkability near 88/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.0% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 570.7 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
If you only tour one corridor, make it Manhattan; if you have a weekend, contrast it with Brooklyn and the quieter edges near Queens. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare New York with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Neighborhoods often researched
- Manhattan
- Brooklyn
- Queens
- Bronx
- Staten Island
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (New York city, 1600000US3651000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · New York County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00094728 NEW YORK CNTRL PK TWR) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10