How the cost of being a New Yorker has changed · 2013–2024
Average Monthly Cost of Living — NYC Renter
Market-rate rent · Groceries · Electric · Transit · 2013–2024
2013$2,644/mo
→
2024$3,940/mo
+49%
Single adult or couple — median asking $3,200/mo in 2024
Rent$3,200
Groceries$484
Electric$124
Transit$132
Rent = StreetEasy median market-rate asking rent by bedroom count — what renters without stabilization face when signing a new lease. Groceries scaled from NYC 2013 baseline by BLS food CPI. Electric = Con Edison SC-1 annual average. Transit = MTA 30-day unlimited pass. Excludes childcare, phone/internet, healthcare, and gas.
Set your district to see personalized affordability stats for your neighborhood.
Single subway or local bus ride. Raised to $2.50 in 2013, $2.75 in 2015, $2.90 in August 2023. No increase announced as of May 2026.
2013: $2.50▲ 2026: $2.90
Source: MTA fare history
Grocery Costs (NYC Metro)
+42.1% since 2013
Change in food-at-home prices, NYC–Newark metro (BLS CPI). The 2022 spike was the sharpest in 40 years; inflation has since moderated to ~1–2% annually.
2013: +0.0%▲ 2026: +42.1%
Source: BLS CUURA101SAF11
Childcare — Infant/Toddler (NYC)
$3,100/mo
Average monthly cost for full-time licensed center care for children 0–2 years — the most expensive childcare category. For many NYC families this rivals or exceeds rent. The 2022–23 spike was driven by provider wage increases and post-COVID demand.
2013: $1,350▲ 2026: $3,100
Source: Care.com Cost of Care · EPI · NYC DOHMH
Avg. Electric Bill — Con Edison NYC (SC-1)
Monthly bill estimates by unit size and season, including supply, delivery, surcharges, and all taxes. Con Edison's tiered delivery structure means 2–3BR units pay a higher effective rate per kWh. Summer peaks are driven by ICAP/demand charges; winter spikes by natural gas supply costs. During heat waves or polar vortex events bills run 30–60% above these baselines due to increased AC or supplemental heat use.
WinterDec – Mar
Spring / FallApr–May, Oct–Nov
SummerJun – Sep
1 Bedroom~375 kWh/mo
$75–$185/mo
2013: $50–$115▲ 2026: $75–$185
+50–61% since 2013
$70–$170/mo
2013: $45–$105▲ 2026: $70–$170
+56–62% since 2013
$85–$205/mo
2013: $50–$125▲ 2026: $85–$205
+70–64% since 2013
2–3 Bedroom~600 kWh/mo
$145–$315/mo
2013: $90–$195▲ 2026: $145–$315
+61–62% since 2013
$130–$290/mo
2013: $80–$175▲ 2026: $130–$290
+63–66% since 2013
$160–$355/mo
2013: $95–$215▲ 2026: $160–$355
+68–65% since 2013
Source: Con Edison SC-1 rate schedules · NYSPSC Cases 20-E-0197, 22-E-0139 · EIA Form 861
About this data: Rent burden percentages and overcrowding rates are from ACS 5-year estimates (Census Bureau), aggregated to NYC NTAs — these correctly capture what residents in each district actually pay vs. their actual income. The cost of living index uses StreetEasy median market-rate asking rent, which better represents what market-rate renters — who make up the majority of rent-burdened households — face when signing a lease. ACS gross rent (which blends in stabilized tenants at legacy rates) understates the affordability crisis for people renting at market price. Grocery costs: BLS CPI CUURA101SAF11. Electric: Con Edison SC-1 rate schedules. Transit: MTA fare history. Rankings reflect 2024 ACS data.