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New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

Cost of living in Brooklyn, New York

Kings County, NY

Part of the New York Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$4,693/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 2,646,306 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $2,511 54%
Federal tax $666 14%
Healthcare $480 10%
Groceries $404 9%
State tax $219 5%
Energy $208 4%
Transport $150 3%
Water $55 1%

Rent in Brooklyn

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$2,406
per month
1 bedroom
$2,511
per month
2 bedroom
$2,780
per month
3 bedroom
$3,465
per month
4 bedroom
$3,738
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Brooklyn

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$78,548
per year
Individual earnings
$50,777
per year
Per capita
$46,057
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Brooklyn

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$889,700
Annual property tax
$6,120

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Brooklyn

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$140
per month · 23.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$68
per month
Annual total
$2,496
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Brooklyn

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
5.9%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Brooklyn

State and local tax rates for New York.

State income tax
10.9%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.0%
Combined sales tax
8.5%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Brooklyn

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
42.1 min
Drive alone
18.0%
Public transit
48.6%
Work from home
17.0%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Brooklyn

What it costs to live in Brooklyn each month.

Single person
$4,693
per month
  • Rent $2,511
  • Energy $208
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $404
  • Transport $150
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $666
  • State tax $219
Couple
$6,130
per month
  • Rent $2,780
  • Energy $250
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $669
  • Transport $200
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $956
  • State tax $346
Family
$9,000
per month
  • Rent $3,465
  • Energy $312
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $1,016
  • Transport $280
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $956
  • State tax $346

Frequently asked questions about Brooklyn

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Brooklyn?

In Brooklyn, New York, a one-bedroom apartment averages $2,511 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,780 per month, a three-bedroom averages $3,465 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Brooklyn?

In Brooklyn, New York, the average household income is $78,548 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $50,777 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Brooklyn?

The estimated cost of living in Brooklyn, New York is approximately $4,693 per month for a single person, $6,130 for a couple, $9,000 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Brooklyn?

The combined sales tax rate in Brooklyn, New York is 8.52%, which includes the New York state rate of 4.00% plus an average local rate of 4.52%.

Is Brooklyn an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Brooklyn, New York would need approximately $4,693 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $78,548 per year ($6,546 per month). Brooklyn has a high cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Brooklyn?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Brooklyn, New York is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 5.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Brooklyn?

The average home value in Brooklyn, New York is $889,700, with average annual property taxes of $6,120, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Brooklyn compare to other areas?

You can compare Brooklyn, New York with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Brooklyn is in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area.

Other counties in New York

Browse the full list of counties in New York, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in New York

Compare Brooklyn with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources