The heart of the iconic Big Apple, Manhattan is home to some of New York City’s most well-known attractions and landmarks like the Empire State Building, Times Square, Grand Central Terminal, and Central Park. It’s hard to believe that Manhattan is an island due to its dense population, abundant attractions, and towering skyscrapers, but it is! And a large one at that.
The borough of Manhattan is a hub for all things financial, cultural, and commercial. The United Nations Headquarters is located in Midtown East, down the road from the Chrysler Building. Manhattan is home to the City College of New York and Columbia University, along with famous live music venues like the Apollo Theater. Locals enjoy catching a Broadway show in the Theater District and admiring the views of the Flatiron Building from Madison Square Park.
Manhattan residents can go shopping along 5th Avenue, watch the wildlife at Central Park Zoo, and admire the extensive collection of works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Manhattan’s beautiful architecture, art and culture, extensive subway system, endless food options, and variety of events and activities come at a cost. Manhattan contains some of the most expensive real estate in the US, and the cost of living is about 87 percent higher than the national average. However, that doesn’t deter those who want to live in the Big Apple. The population continues to grow, topping 1.6 million in 2023.
Pedestrians at 23rd Street and 6th Avenue
Brownstones on Spring Street
Aerial view of Manhattan’s popular Hudson Yards neighborhood
The cost of living in Manhattan, NY is 130.6% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Manhattan is 400.6% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $3,237 - $6,801. You can expect to pay 18.0% more for groceries, 15.1% more for utilities, and 17.0% more for transportation.
Find your ideal NYC borough! Compare Manhattan's energy, Brooklyn's vibe, and more to decide the best spot for your next apartment.
Exploring your options in the Big Apple? Discover the best parts of New York City with our detailed guide.
Walker's Paradise
out of 100 WalkScore® Rating
Lace up your walking shoes because this area is considered a walker’s paradise.
Rider's Paradise
out of 100 TransitScore® Rating
Living in this area is considered a rider’s paradise, with world-class transportation.
Very Bikeable
out of 100 BikeScore® Rating
This area is very bikeable. You’ll find a variety of bike paths and lanes.
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† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2025.
