Afternoon Diversion: New York's Cost of Living Calculator

This week, New York focuses on moolah in a number of ways: The difficulties when friends make different amounts of money, five spending diaries of different New Yorkers, a story on a security guard who earns $10/hour, and more. But the real time-sucking feature is the Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Cost-of-Living Calculator.

You pick certain items (housing, lifestyle expenses, getaways) and a total is tallied for you. Then you get the most likely distressing news about what you need to earn before taxes (forget savings). It just gives a basic idea of what it might take to live a certain kind of life - if you don't have kids, don't want to live in Manhattan, and feel you'll be healthy, it's easier than if you want a Manhattan carriage house, two kids in private school and luxurious vacations, natch. Definitely a Halloween scare.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on October 30, 2006 1:30 PM

Comments [rss]

ES

It seems that what makes most of the difference, after housing, is having kids. You might be able to live comfortably in this city if you are willing to stay childless. So people are still going to be moving to the suburbs when they want to raise a family.

It was a depressing issue of the magazine, and yes, if things keep up like this I won't be living here in ten years either.

Samantha T

According to mine, I'll need to be making just a bit more than I'm making. Keep in mind that I said I'd be living in the suburbs and sending children to public school. I think that makes a huge difference.

Kay

I'm over $30K short and in the second lowest category. Yikes.

sophia

i think visa and mastercard are providing the missing 20K....

Matthew

yeah...so, I don't think I'll be living in the New York area in 10 years!

CynicalEngineer

If you do the math, the guy with the 54K job actually has a 76K lifestyle?

Who is providing the missing 20K?

And why can't we have some logical, numerate journalists?

zincink

In ten years..either we will be blown off the face of the map..or I will be living in a so called "tent down by the river". Thank you "Living Calculator"..you bring me such hope. :(

moi

Did you see the crap those people spend their money on? I have no respect for people who take taxis instead of the subway, and less respect for people who don't do the math and get a monthly card.

bob

I have to make $350,000 to live modestly and have one kid who goes to private school. That is depressing.

Mark

I have to make $1 million before taxes, according to the calculator. Of course, it doesn't ask about alimony and I hope to have at least three ex-wives in the next ten years.