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Cost of living guide

Cost of Living in New York 2026

Published July 2026 · By LiveWhere

New York has one of the widest gaps between city and country of any state. A single person spends about $2,699 a month in rural Allegany County in the Southern Tier. In Manhattan, the same basics cost about $5,319, nearly double. The state average is about $3,442 a month.

The state has a graduated income tax, from 4% up to 10.9%. New York City adds its own city income tax on top, so people who live in the five boroughs pay more than the rest of the state. Rent statewide averages about $1,243 a month, but the city and its suburbs run far higher.

Upstate counties near Buffalo and the North Country are the affordable side of New York. The New York City metro is the expensive side. Rank all 62 counties below, or put two side by side with our comparison tool. All figures come from official government data, built using our methodology.

Cheapest county
$2,699
Allegany County
State average
$3,442
per month
Avg. rent (1-bed)
$1,243
per month
Avg. income
$76,433
per year

All 62 counties in New York, ranked by cost

Cheapest first, by estimated single-person monthly cost. The "vs avg" column compares each county to the New York average.

Show all 62 counties

Monthly cost combines rent, utilities, groceries, transport, healthcare and taxes. See our methodology.

The 5 cheapest counties in New York

The most affordable places, in detail.

#2. Chautauqua County $2,781/mo

Chautauqua County sits in the far west corner on Lake Erie, centered on Jamestown. A one-bedroom home rents for about $725 a month, the lowest here. It is one of the more populated cheap counties, with about 126,000 residents.

See the full Chautauqua County profile

The 5 most expensive counties in New York

Where costs run highest.

#1. New York County

$5,319/mo

Manhattan is the most expensive place in New York, and in the country. The city income tax and a one-bedroom rent of about $2,511 a month both add to the total.

#2. Putnam County

$5,037/mo

Putnam County is a well-off suburb north of New York City. High incomes, near $127,405 a year on average, come with high costs.

#3. Westchester County

$5,019/mo

Westchester County, just north of the Bronx, pairs high incomes with steep property taxes. It is one of the priciest commuter counties in the state.

#4. Richmond County

$4,899/mo

Richmond County is Staten Island, one of the five boroughs. Residents pay the city income tax like the rest of New York City, which lifts the total.

#5. Rockland County

$4,788/mo

Rockland County sits across the Hudson northwest of the city. Its place in the pricey New York metro keeps costs high.

The tax picture in New York

Income, sales and property taxes.

State income tax
10.90%
Top marginal rate

New York has a graduated state income tax, from 4% up to 10.9% for top earners.

State sales tax
4.00%
Combined sales tax
8.52%
incl. average local of 4.52%

Property taxes in New York average about $4,709 a year across counties. They rank among the highest in the country, especially in the counties around New York City.

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation.

Frequently asked questions about New York

Common questions about cost of living, rent and taxes.

What is the cheapest place to live in New York?

Allegany County is the cheapest place to live in New York, at about $2,699 a month for a single person. A one-bedroom home there rents for about $745 a month. The figure covers rent, utilities, groceries, transport, healthcare and taxes.

What is the average cost of living in New York?

The average cost of living in New York is about $3,442 a month for a single person. Costs range from about $2,699 a month in Allegany County to about $5,319 a month in New York County.

Is New York an expensive state to live in?

The average monthly cost in New York is about $3,442, about 19% above the national average of $2,882 a month. The New York City metro pulls the statewide figure up, while much of upstate stays affordable.

What is the average rent in New York?

The average one-bedroom rent in New York is about $1,243 a month, based on HUD Fair Market Rent data across all 62 counties. Rent ranges from about $725 to $2,511 a month.

Does New York have state income tax?

Yes. New York has a graduated state income tax, from 4% up to 10.9% for top earners. New York City also charges its own city income tax on top of the state tax.

Explore more

Rankings

Cheapest places to live

The most affordable counties in America, ranked.
Tool

Compare two areas

Put any two counties side by side on cost, rent and taxes.
Tool

Salary calculator

See your take-home pay in New York.
State

All New York data

Rent, taxes and earnings across New York.

Use this research

Journalists, researchers and bloggers are welcome to cite and share this analysis. Please include a follow link back to this page when referencing our data. For bespoke analysis, expert comment, or high-resolution graphics, get in touch via our press office.

About this data

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

  • U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year Estimates)
  • HUD Fair Market Rents
  • Energy Information Administration (EIA)
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
  • Tax Foundation state and local rates

LiveWhere presents data from official government sources. It does not provide financial, tax, or healthcare advice.

Methodology All data sources