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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
New York City rent up 4% over the past year. Rent in #1-ranked New York City has increased from $3,558 to $3,706/mo over the past 12 months — a 4% increase. Rising costs may erode its top ranking over time. About what you'd guess.
New York City rent up 4% over the past year. Rent in #1-ranked New York City has increased from $3,558 to $3,706/mo over the past 12 months — a 4% increase. Rising costs may erode its top ranking over time. About what you'd guess.
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.
Why New York City ranks #1: the numbers tell a clear story. At 156 on the cost index, residents spend roughly 44% more than the typical American. Rent sits at $3,706/month while the median household pulls in $79,713/year. The Utilities category is particularly strong at 144, though Housing (241) lags behind. Home prices average $812,534 — $345,164 above the national median.
One more layer before the full breakdown: Nationally, the 288 cities in our database average a cost index of 112, rent of $1,895/month, and household income of $80,367. The cities in this ranking challenge those benchmarks. If you're a planner, this number should anchor your spreadsheet.
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 (more on that below).
#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
1 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 | MilwaukeeWI | 92 | $1,398 | Details |
8,258,035 residents · New York
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.
561,385 residents · Wisconsin
No sugarcoating: What does daily life actually cost in Milwaukee? Start with the 32% rent-to-income ratio — stretched, especially for single earners. On the category level, Housing (index 81) is where the real savings show up, while Healthcare (index 95) is the line item most likely to surprise newcomers. Income at $51,888 and homes at $216,278 round out a profile that ranks #2 for clear reasons (that's pre-tax, of course).
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 Milwaukee (ranked #2) has a cost index of 92 and rent of $1,398/mo — a 64-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.