Rows tagged local are specific to New York (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from New York, NY. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
112.6
metro-area
#192 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
108.3
metro-area
#198 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$6.41
metro-area
#192 of 200
Median household income
$76,607
local
#19 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$47,870
local
#9 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
7.58%
local
#173 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+0.7%
local
#186 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$732,100
local
#186 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
9.6×
local
#187 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+4.1%
metro-area
#31 of 200
Price per square foot
$458
local
#189 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,600 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,714
local
#198 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
45,297
Median days on market
23
metro-area
#134 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
15.9%
state
#193 of 200
Combined sales tax
8.52%
state
#141 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
10.90%
Capital gains tax
10.90%
state
#171 of 200
High earners
Top rates up to 10.9% on multimillion-dollar incomes
Effective property tax rate
0.84%
local
#171 of 200
Median property tax paid
$6,121
local
#200 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,800
state
#182 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$17,000
state
#170 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$70
state
#38 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
2
Avg commute to work
41 min
local
#200 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
29.4¢/kWh
state
#166 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$265
state
#166 of 200
Gasoline
$3.45/gal
state
#142 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$98
state
#186 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$87
state
#57 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$76
state
#20 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#80 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,100
state
#126 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$800
state
#120 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
52
metro-area
#151 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
700
metro-area
#25 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
6,000
metro-area
#168 of 200
Avg summer high
83°F
metro-area
#21 of 200
Avg winter low
16°F
metro-area
#168 of 200
Annual precipitation
49.5"
metro-area
#154 of 200
Annual snowfall
29.8"
metro-area
#144 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
58%
metro-area
#105 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
6a
Frost window
04-30 → 10-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
350
state
#51 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,450
state
#24 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
86
metro-area
#91 of 200
Parks
103
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
59
Shooting ranges
9
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
5
state
#165 of 200
Permit detail
Very difficult; NYC DOB long timelines
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.