Living in New York City, NY
Major city in New York
New York City is a major city in New York, home to about 8.5 million people, with 14.7 million living within 31 mi. Day to day, you can walk or take transit almost everywhere. Life moves at a very fast pace, and homes are mostly apartments.
In short: The densest, most walkable US city. Unmatched careers and culture, at a very high cost and with little space.
Is New York City a good place to live? Pros and cons
👍 Pros
- Strong healthcare: 30 top-rated (4–5★) hospitals within 31 mi
- Lots of culture: museums, zoos and attractions nearby
- Easy flying: LGA is 4 mi away
- Big job market: about 14.7 million people live within 31 mi
👎 Cons
- Few dog parks: 142 within 9 mi
- Pricey housing: a typical 3-bedroom home is about $875k, and rent is $3,640 a month
- Fewer family amenities than most places
- Cloudier than most places
Whether it's a good place for you depends on what you value. Take the quiz to see how New York City ranks against your own priorities.
Key facts
Living in New York City: common questions
What is the cost of living in New York City?
A typical 3-bedroom home is worth about $875k, and a 3-bedroom rents for about $3,640 a month including utilities. Overall living costs are above the US average (index 113, where the US is 100).
What are taxes like in New York City?
New York collects about $3,080 in state income tax per resident, and homeowners here pay about 0.85% of their home's value in property tax each year.
Is New York City safe?
Violent crime is somewhat above the national rate (1.5× in FBI 2019 data).
What is the weather like in New York City?
New York City has cold winters: winter days average around 43°F and summer days around 84°F, with roughly 30″ of snow a year.
Does New York City get natural disasters?
Natural disaster risk is low, mainly from flooding and heat waves: 9 federally declared disasters have hit the county since 2000, and FEMA expects about 0.38 deaths or injuries per 100,000 residents a year.
What is the nearest major airport to New York City?
The nearest major airport is LGA, about 4 mi away.
How New York City scores
Each bar compares New York City with the other 1143 places in Best Life Fit Me. A dot shows where it sits between two ends, such as major metro and small town; neither end is better. Coloured bars run from poor (red) to excellent (green).
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Is New York City right for you?
Answer 27 quick questions and see how it ranks against your priorities.