Verified
Student budget
$2,200-3,500/monthshared room + utilities + groceries + transportation · excluding very high university tuition
See details Back to the United States guide
LifeSkills city guide
New York City
United States
The financial, media and cultural capital of the United States, New York City is one of the most iconic and cosmopolitan metropolises in the world. Five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island) and hundreds of neighborhoods offer top-notch universities (Columbia, NYU), endless job opportunities and an unparalleled nightlife and cultural life, with a 24-hour subway. The downside is the cost: rents are among the highest in the world, apartments are small and the market is very tough (you need a guarantor who earns 40-80 times the rent or a guarantee service). Living together is almost the rule. Look for a house well in advance and take into account high initial costs.
Safety 66/100
Affordability 16/100
Student-friendly 88/100
Nightlife 95/100
Transport 88/100
Last reviewed: Jul 23, 2026. Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.
Quick answer
Living in New York City: what to know first
The essentials before you compare the details. A figure is marked as verified only when it is linked to a source.
Under review
Room rent
No locally sourced rent figure is available yet See details Verified
Getting around
New York has the largest subway network in the United States, operated by the MTA and active 24 hours a day, integrated with buses, ferries and commuter rail (LIRR, Metro-North) and the PATH to New Jersey. You pay with OMNY (contactless, card or telephone), with a weekly cap that makes trips free after the first twelve. You don't need a car: the metro covers everything.
See detailsNeighborhoods to compare
8 neighborhoods comparedEast Village / Gramercy (Manhattan) · Harlem (Manhattan) · Astoria (Queens)
See detailsUniversities
5 universities in this guideColumbia University · New York University (NYU) · CUNY — City University of New York
See detailsFirst steps
Where to start for New York City
Follow this order to narrow your options without taking in everything at once.
Interactive map
City Council Districts di New York City
Official administrative boundaries: City Council Districts. Select an area to view the available data.
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Visible City Council Districts 0
Verified geographic dataset
Boundary source: NYC Department of City Planning — City Council Districts 26B, water included (NYC Open Data; licenza dataset non specificata). Base map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Compare
Neighborhood ranking
Best neighborhoods for students
- East Village / Gramercy (Manhattan) 92/100
- Harlem (Manhattan) 88/100
- Astoria (Queens) 86/100
- Upper West Side (Manhattan) 84/100
Best neighborhoods for nightlife
- Chelsea / West Village (Manhattan) 92/100
- East Village / Gramercy (Manhattan) 92/100
- Williamsburg / Greenpoint (Brooklyn) 90/100
- Astoria (Queens) 86/100
Best neighborhoods for quiet living
- Upper West Side (Manhattan) 84/100
- Astoria (Queens) 86/100
- Brooklyn Heights / DUMBO (Brooklyn) 82/100
- Long Island City (Queens) 80/100
Best neighborhoods for low rent
- Harlem (Manhattan) ~1,200 USD
- Astoria (Queens) ~1,250 USD
- Long Island City (Queens) ~1,400 USD
- Williamsburg / Greenpoint (Brooklyn) ~1,500 USD
Best neighborhoods for safety
- Brooklyn Heights / DUMBO (Brooklyn) 82/100
- Upper West Side (Manhattan) 84/100
- Astoria (Queens) 86/100
- Long Island City (Queens) 80/100
Neighborhood cards
Where to live in New York City
East Village / Gramercy (Manhattan)
Student hubEast Village / Gramercy (Manhattan): The young and student downtown: NYU a stone's throw away, the bohemian and night owl East Village, more residential Gramercy and Murray Hill. Vibrant and central
- Room
- ~1,600 USD
- Studio
- ~2,900 USD
- Apartment
- ~4,000 USD
~ editorial estimate to verify
Safety 74 Student-friendly 92 Nightlife 90 Commute 90
Pros
- student-friendly: 92/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: ~1,600 USD.
- Useful for New York University (NYU).
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Harlem (Manhattan)
Lower rentHarlem (Manhattan): The most accessible and history-rich Manhattan: African-American culture, brownstones, Columbia and CCNY nearby. In transformation, with lower rents
- Room
- ~1,200 USD
- Studio
- ~2,100 USD
- Apartment
- ~2,900 USD
~ editorial estimate to verify
Safety 62 Student-friendly 88 Nightlife 70 Commute 86
Pros
- student-friendly: 88/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: ~1,200 USD.
- Useful for Columbia University (Manhattanville).
Cons
- Safety score is 62/100: inspect the exact street and building.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Astoria (Queens)
BalancedAstoria (Queens): Young, multicultural and easy-going Queens: cuisine from all over the world, neighborhood life, two stops from Manhattan. Liveable and with a good quality/price ratio
- Room
- ~1,250 USD
- Studio
- ~2,200 USD
- Apartment
- ~3,000 USD
~ editorial estimate to verify
Safety 78 Student-friendly 86 Nightlife 74 Commute 82
Pros
- student-friendly: 86/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: ~1,250 USD.
- Useful for CUNY (by subway).
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Upper West Side (Manhattan)
PremiumUpper West Side (Manhattan): Cultured and residential Manhattan between Central Park and the Hudson: Lincoln Center, historic buildings, families and proximity to Columbia. Elegant, green and safe
- Room
- ~1,600 USD
- Studio
- ~2,800 USD
- Apartment
- ~3,800 USD
~ editorial estimate to verify
Safety 80 Student-friendly 84 Nightlife 62 Commute 90
Pros
- transport: 90/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: ~1,600 USD.
- Useful for Columbia University (near).
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Study
Major universities in New York City
Columbia University
Elite private (Ivy League; ~36,000 students, very international)
RightBusinessEngineeringMedicineJournalismInternational AffairsArts and sciences
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Harlem (Manhattan)5-15 min (Morningside/Manhattanville)
- Upper West Side (Manhattan)10-20 min
- Chelsea / West Village (Manhattan)25-35 min (Subway 1)
New York University (NYU)
Private (one of the largest in the US; ~60,000 students, very international)
Business (Stern)Arts (Tisch)RightSocial sciencesEngineering (Tandon)Medicine
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- East Village / Gramercy (Manhattan)5-15 min (Washington Square)
- Chelsea / West Village (Manhattan)10-20 min
- Brooklyn Heights / DUMBO (Brooklyn)15-25 min (Tandon)
CUNY — City University of New York
Public (largest urban university system in the US; very accessible)
Arts and sciencesBusiness (Baruch)Engineering (City College)RightHealth Sciences
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Harlem (Manhattan)5-15 min (City College)
- East Village / Gramercy (Manhattan)5-15 min (Baruch/Hunter)
- Astoria (Queens)20-30 min
Fordham University
Private (Jesuit; strong in law, business and social sciences)
RightBusinessSocial sciencesLettersCommunication
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Upper West Side (Manhattan)5-15 min (Lincoln Center)
- Chelsea / West Village (Manhattan)10-20 min
- Harlem (Manhattan)20-30 min (Rose Hill, Bronx)
The New School / Parsons
Private (design, arts, social sciences; international, very creative)
Design and fashion (Parsons)ArtsSocial sciencesAverageMusic
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Chelsea / West Village (Manhattan)5-15 min (Greenwich Village)
- East Village / Gramercy (Manhattan)5-15 min
- Brooklyn Heights / DUMBO (Brooklyn)20-30 min
Rent analysis
Average rent by neighborhood
Indicative monthly asking levels for rooms, studios and apartments.
✓ rent figure with a linked source ~ editorial estimate to verify
| Neighborhood cards | Room | Studio | Apartment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper West Side (Manhattan) | ~1,600 USD | ~2,800 USD | ~3,800 USD |
| Chelsea / West Village (Manhattan) | ~1,700 USD | ~3,000 USD | ~4,200 USD |
| East Village / Gramercy (Manhattan) | ~1,600 USD | ~2,900 USD | ~4,000 USD |
| Harlem (Manhattan) | ~1,200 USD | ~2,100 USD | ~2,900 USD |
| Williamsburg / Greenpoint (Brooklyn) | ~1,500 USD | ~2,700 USD | ~3,700 USD |
| Brooklyn Heights / DUMBO (Brooklyn) | ~1,550 USD | ~2,800 USD | ~3,900 USD |
| Astoria (Queens) | ~1,250 USD | ~2,200 USD | ~3,000 USD |
| Long Island City (Queens) | ~1,400 USD | ~2,500 USD | ~3,400 USD |
Cheapest: Harlem (Manhattan), Astoria (Queens), Long Island City (Queens)
Mid-range: Long Island City (Queens), Williamsburg / Greenpoint (Brooklyn), Brooklyn Heights / DUMBO (Brooklyn)
Premium: Chelsea / West Village (Manhattan), Upper West Side (Manhattan), East Village / Gramercy (Manhattan)
Safety
Safety notes
Safer neighborhoods
Upper West Side (Manhattan), Brooklyn Heights / DUMBO (Brooklyn), Astoria (Queens)
Areas to be careful with
some subway stations and trains late at night, very crowded tourist areas (Times Square) for pickpocketing, some blocks in transition (part of Harlem and the Bronx) to be evaluated in the evening
- New York is today one of the safest large American cities, but it remains a metropolis: the most common risk is petty crime (pickpocketing, theft) in crowded areas and on the subway, rather than violence. Security varies greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood and from block to block.
- At night on the subway, especially late and on some lines, it is best to be careful and prefer the more crowded central carriages; for late returns many use taxis or ride-sharing apps.
- The city is extremely international and multicultural: English is obviously the language, but almost every community in the world is represented, which makes it relatively easy to settle in.
Student perspective: Students: the East Village and Gramercy for NYU, Harlem and the Upper West Side for Columbia and CCNY. To save money (while staying well connected) you look to Harlem, Astoria and Long Island City, or more deeply to Brooklyn and Queens. Sharing the apartment is almost obligatory and the initial costs (guarantor/guarantee services) must be planned.
Nightlife
Where to go out
Lower East Side / East Village (Manhattan)
bars, live music, young clubs
Historic heart of the night downtown: bars, cocktail bars, live music and cheap venues, much loved by students and young people.
Williamsburg / Bushwick (Brooklyn)
clubs, warehouse parties, indie and electronic music
Creative Brooklyn: live houses, clubs in former industrial spaces (especially in Bushwick) and the city's hippest music scene.
Chelsea / Hell’s Kitchen (Manhattan)
LGBTQ+ venues, cocktail bars, clubs
Heart of LGBTQ+ nightlife and trendy cocktail bars, between Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen.
West Village / Greenwich Village (Manhattan)
jazz club, wine bar, historic atmosphere
Historic jazz clubs (Village Vanguard, Blue Note) and wine bars among the most evocative tree-lined streets of Manhattan.
Astoria (Queens)
beer garden, neighborhood bar, food
Historic beer gardens and multicultural neighborhood bars, a more informal and easy-going night a stone's throw from Manhattan.
Transport
Getting around New York City
New York has the largest subway network in the United States, operated by the MTA and active 24 hours a day, integrated with buses, ferries and commuter rail (LIRR, Metro-North) and the PATH to New Jersey. You pay with OMNY (contactless, card or telephone), with a weekly cap that makes trips free after the first twelve. You don't need a car: the metro covers everything.
Metro Subway MTA: 24 lines and over 470 stations active 24/7, the largest in the USA, connecting Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the BronxNYC Ferry: Ferry network on the East River and Hudson connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn, Queens, and beyond, with beautiful skyline viewsCommuter rail (LIRR, Metro-North) and PATH: Connect suburbs, Long Island, upstate New York, and New Jersey
Tram / busThe MTA bus network (local, Select Bus Service and express) integrates the subway, useful for transversal travel and areas less served by the train; there is also the cable car (tram) to Roosevelt Island. Everything is paid for with OMNY.
TrainNew York is a large railway hub: Penn Station and Grand Central connect the suburbs (LIRR, Metro-North, NJ Transit) and the east coast (Amtrak: Boston in ~4h, Washington in ~3h); the three airports (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark) are connected by AirTrain, subway and bus.
Pass info MTA with OMNY (contactless): $3.00 per rideAutomatic weekly cap at $35 (free after 12 trips in 7 days)No more separate monthly pass (MetroCard retired in 2026)Reduced fares for over 65s and disabled
WalkabilityExcellent: Manhattan and much of the inner boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens are laid out in a grid, dense and fully walkable, with everything within walking distance and the subway always close.
Bike-friendlinessStrongly growing: Citi Bike bike sharing is widespread and the network of cycle paths has expanded greatly (protected on many axes and along rivers); the city is flat, but heavy traffic requires attention. Many commuters use bikes all year round.
Transport sources MTA — Rete subway, bus e tariffe di New YorkNYC Ferry / Amtrak — Traghetti e treniNYC DOT / Citi Bike — Mobilità ciclabile
Cost of living
Monthly budget estimate
Reference monthly budget $2,200-3,500/month
shared room + utilities + groceries + transportation · excluding very high university tuition
Spending items
Food approximately $400-700/month (personal spending) cheap meal ~$25
Transport MTA: $3.00 per trip with OMNY (contactless), with an automatic weekly cap of $35 (after 12 trips in 7 days you travel for free). The MetroCard will be retired in 2026 there is no longer a separate monthly subscription
Utilities about $250 for an apartment internet ~$78
Coffee / bars cappuccino about $6 cheap meal around $25
- New York has some of the highest rents in the world: a room in a shared apartment often costs $1,200-1,700 and a studio easily exceeds $2,800. Living together (roommates) is almost the rule, even for workers.
- The market is very tough: to rent on your own you need to demonstrate that you earn ~40 times the monthly rent, or have a guarantor who earns ~80 times (or use a guarantee service such as Insurent/TheGuarantors, for a fee).
- High initial costs: first month, deposit (by law max 1 month) and, traditionally, high agency commissions (broker fee); since 2025 the FARE Act has shifted many of these fees to the owner, but always check who pays them.
- Entire 1-bedroom apartment rental: ~$2,850 outside of downtown and ~$4,300 in downtown (Manhattan), according to the Numbeo range for New York.
- University fees in the USA are very high (especially in the private sector); put them into account separately, together with health insurance, which is indispensable and expensive.
Budget sources Numbeo — Costo della vita a New YorkMTA — Tariffe subway e bus di New York (OMNY)
Transparency
New York City data sources and updates
Check where the data comes from, which fields each source covers and when it was reviewed. One source does not automatically validate other figures.
Page reviewed
Next review by:
6 registered references
6/6 with a check datePolicy: review within 12 months. Status and date apply to the individual reference, not the whole city.
Budget and cost of living 2
Numbeo — Costo della vita a New York
Current check- Checked on
- Covers
- Food · Utilities · Coffee / bars · Student budget
MTA — Tariffe subway e bus di New York (OMNY)
Current check- Checked on
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- Transport · Student budget
Transport 3
MTA — Rete subway, bus e tariffe di New York
Current check- Checked on
- Covers
- Getting around · Metro · Tram / bus · Pass info
NYC Ferry / Amtrak — Traghetti e treni
Current check- Checked on
- Covers
- Train
NYC DOT / Citi Bike — Mobilità ciclabile
Current check- Checked on
- Covers
- Walkability · Bike-friendliness
Local rent 0
No specific source is registered yet: related figures remain indicative or under review.
Map and boundaries 1
- Geometry audit date
- Covers
- City Council Districts · NYC Open Data; licenza dataset non specificata
Decision guide
Pros and cons of living in New York City
5 strengths
- New York has the largest subway network in the United States, operated by the MTA and active 24 hours a day, integrated with buses, ferries and commuter rail (LIRR, Metro-North) and the PATH to New Jersey. You pay with OMNY (contactless, card or telephone), with a weekly cap that makes trips free after the first twelve. You don't need a car: the metro covers everything.
- Columbia University, New York University (NYU), CUNY — City University of New York: poli di studio rilevanti per la città.
- Students: the East Village and Gramercy for NYU, Harlem and the Upper West Side for Columbia and CCNY. To save money (while staying well connected) you look to Harlem, Astoria and Long Island City, or more deeply to Brooklyn and Queens. Sharing the apartment is almost obligatory and the initial costs (guarantor/guarantee services) must be planned.
- New York has some of the highest rents in the world: a room in a shared apartment often costs $1,200-1,700 and a studio easily exceeds $2,800. Living together (roommates) is almost the rule, even for workers.
- Upper West Side (Manhattan), Chelsea / West Village (Manhattan), East Village / Gramercy (Manhattan) sono tra le zone analizzate nella guida.
5 drawbacks
- New York is today one of the safest large American cities, but it remains a metropolis: the most common risk is petty crime (pickpocketing, theft) in crowded areas and on the subway, rather than violence. Security varies greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood and from block to block.
- The market is very tough: to rent on your own you need to demonstrate that you earn ~40 times the monthly rent, or have a guarantor who earns ~80 times (or use a guarantee service such as Insurent/TheGuarantors, for a fee).
- Rents among the highest in the city
- Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.
FAQ
Questions about moving to New York City
Is New York a good city for students?
Yes for quality and energy: it hosts leading universities (Columbia, NYU, the large public CUNY system, Fordham, Parsons) and an unparalleled cultural and professional life. The big obstacle is the cost: rents among the highest in the world, high university fees and a very tough real estate market. Almost everyone lives in sharing; It is best to look for a house well in advance and plan for the guarantor and initial costs.
Is New York a good city for workers?
Yes, it is one of the economic capitals of the world: finance, media, fashion, growing tech, services and culture offer opportunities in every sector. Salaries are high, but the cost of living — especially housing and health insurance — is extreme. It is essential to carefully evaluate your compensation package and visa (H-1B, O-1, L-1) before relocating.
Which neighborhoods are worth looking at?
For students: East Village/Gramercy (NYU), Harlem and Upper West Side (Columbia/CCNY). For those who work and seek modernity: Long Island City and DUMBO/Downtown Brooklyn. For life and food at more reasonable prices: Astoria (Queens). For creative Brooklyn: Williamsburg/Greenpoint.
Which neighborhoods are cheapest?
Staying well connected, Harlem (Manhattan), Astoria and Long Island City/Sunnyside (Queens) offer lower rents than central Manhattan and trendy Brooklyn. Going deeper into Brooklyn (Bushwick, Bed-Stuy) and Queens (Sunnyside, Woodside, Jackson Heights) or the Bronx saves a lot, with more commute time.
Is public transport convenient?
Yes, among the best in the USA: the MTA subway is active 24 hours a day and covers the entire city, integrated with buses, ferries and commuter trains. You pay with OMNY (contactless) and after 12 trips a week you travel for free (capped at $35). You don't need a car; the three airports are connected by AirTrain and public transport.
How much budget is needed?
For a student approximately $2,200-3,500 per month for shared room, utilities, groceries and transportation; university fees and health insurance are separate and very high. Those who work most often fall between $3,500 and $5,500, depending mainly on the rent and the borough chosen.
How do you rent a house in New York?
It's the hardest part. To rent on your own you must demonstrate an income of ~40 times the monthly rent, or have a guarantor (~80 times) or pay a guarantee service (Insurent, TheGuarantors). You need documents (pay slips, employment/registration letter, references) and you often have to decide quickly. Apartment sharing is the norm; always check who pays the agency commission (after the FARE Act 2025 often the owner).