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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Premium market, smart picks: while the market trends above the national average, the gap between the most and least expensive cities here is wider than you'd think. New York at index 216 — we had to double-check this one — is the standout — offering meaningful savings without leaving a desirable ma…
Premium market, smart picks: while the market trends above the national average, the gap between the most and least expensive cities here is wider than you'd think. New York at index 216 — we had to double-check this one — is the standout — offering meaningful savings without leaving a desirable market.
New York rent up 4% over the past year. And generally speaking, rent in #1-ranked New York 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. For freelancers and gig workers with variable income, this cushion is everything.
In plain English: at $3,706/month for rent and a cost index of 216, New York is pretty much what you'd expect from a larger city in this part of the country. Income is $79,713. Take it or leave it — the data is what it is. Surprising? Maybe. But the data's clear.
Keep reading — the next section adds critical context. Nationally, the 288 cities in our database average a cost index of 111, rent of $1,895/month, and household income of $80,367. The cities in this ranking challenge those benchmarks. For families with student loans, that cost gap is a second income.
Bottom line: New York, NY leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Take it or leave it — the data is what it is. 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, NY — cost index 216, rent $3,706/mo, income $79,713
New York rent up 4% over the past year
1 of 2 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 111
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| Rank | City | Cost Index | Median Rent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New YorkNY | 216 | $3,706 | Details |
| 2 | DallasTX | 93 | $1,591 | Details |
8,258,035 residents · New York
New York is one of the cheaper options here. Rent is $3,706/month, which is lower than most cities in this ranking. The cost index is 216. Income sits at $79,713. You get the picture.
1,302,868 residents · Texas
At $1,591/month for rent and a cost index of 93, Dallas is pretty much what you'd expect from a larger city in this part of the country. And broadly, income is $67,760. It's fine. Not great, not bad. Solidly above average.
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 (ranked #1) has a cost index of 216 and rent of $3,706/mo, while Dallas (ranked #2) has a cost index of 93 and rent of $1,591/mo — a 123-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 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 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.