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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Nobody expects rock-bottom prices here — but that doesn't mean all cities are equally expensive. New York City (index 156, rent $3,706/mo) carves out real savings within a high-cost market. We analyzed 2 cities to find where your money goes furthest in 2026.
Nobody expects rock-bottom prices here — but that doesn't mean all cities are equally expensive. New York City (index 156, rent $3,706/mo) carves out real savings within a high-cost market. We analyzed 2 cities to find where your money goes furthest in 2026.
The ranking uses a composite of 2026 data from Census Bureau population/income surveys, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary benchmarks, and Tax Foundation tax rates. New York City (index 156, rent $3,706); Denver (index 113, rent $1,818). Each city profile below links to the full detail page with 12-month trends, salary breakdowns, and cost category comparisons (your mileage may vary — literally).
The #1 spot goes to New York City, and the breakdown explains why. Renters here pay $3,706/month — costing renters $21,732 more per year compared to the national average. Meanwhile, Utilities is the standout at index 144, keeping costs manageable. The weak spot? Housing at 241. The 56% rent-to-income ratio is a pressure point — for median earners, housing takes more than recommended.
This looks affordable — until you factor in housing. In New York City, the housing index sits at 241 — above average and worth factoring in.
New York City rent up 4% over the past year. Rent in #1-ranked New York City has increased from $3,558 — though some people might weigh that differently — to $3,706/mo over the past 12 months — a 4% increase. Rising costs may erode its top ranking over time. That's not nothing.
Bottom line: New York City, NY leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers.
#1 Ranked: New York City, NY — cost index 156, rent $3,706/mo, income $79,713
New York City rent up 4% over the past year
0 of 2 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 112
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| Rank | City | Cost Index | Median Rent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York CityNY | 156 | $3,706 | Details |
| 2 | DenverCO | 113 | $1,818 | Details |
8,258,035 residents · New York
New York City earns its position at #1 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 156 cost index sits 44 points above the national baseline, and the $79,713 median income means purchasing power here is partially offset by higher costs. You get the picture. Homes list at $812,534 — $345,164 above the national median, reflecting the metro premium. On the cost side, Utilities leads the way at 144, while Housing trails at 241.
716,577 residents · Colorado
A closer look at Denver: the cost index of 113 breaks down to a Utilities index of 104 (strongest category) and a Housing index of 133 (weakest). Median rent is $1,818/month — 4% below the national median — while household income sits at $91,681, meaning locals spend about 24% of income on rent. That's a healthy margin by any standard.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
New York City (ranked #1) has a cost index of 156 and rent of $3,706/mo, while Denver (ranked #2) has a cost index of 113 and rent of $1,818/mo — a 43-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in New York City is $3,706/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $1,811 above the national median of $1,895/month.
The median home price in New York City is $812,534, which is 10.2× the local median income. Most median-income households would stretch to buy at this ratio. The national median home price is $467,370.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.