Thursday, November 6, 2025

NYC Affordability 11-6-25

The median household income for New York City in 2025 is estimated to be approximately $82,095, while the average (mean) household income is around $127,894. For government housing programs, the Area Median Income (AMI) for a three-person family in the NYC region for 2025 is set at $145,800.  

NYC 2025 household income data

Median Household Income: $82,095

This figure represents the middle income, meaning half of households earn more and half earn less.

Average (Mean) Household Income: $127,894. This figure is a sum of all income divided by the number of households and is often higher than the median due to the impact of very high earners.

Area Median Income (AMI): $145,800 for a three-person family.  This is a figure used by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to determine eligibility for housing programs and is specific to the NYC region. 

The average household income in New York City is approximately $127,894, while the median household income is approximately $79,713. 

These figures are based on the latest available data, primarily from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) estimates, which are the most current comprehensive statistics used by most financial and governmental sources to inform their 2025 analysis and reports. 

Key points:

Average Household Income: The mean (average) income is higher than the median because it is influenced by a small number of very high earners in the city.

Median Household Income: This figure represents the midpoint where half of households earn more and half earn less.

Area Median Income (AMI): For specific purposes like housing program eligibility, the 2025 NYC Area AMI (which applies to a larger region) for a three-person family is set at $145,800.

Note: Income data from official sources is often released with a delay. The figures above use the latest available complete data (2023 estimates used in 2025 reports). 

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+the+average+household+income+in+new+york+city+2025

The average cost for a one-bedroom apartment in NYC as of late 2025 is between approximately $3,450 and $5,242 per month, with different sources reporting slightly different averages. For example, Zillow reported an average of $3,450, while Rent.com reported $5,242. Factors like location and amenities can cause significant variation. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+the+average+cost+to+rent+a+1+bedroom+apartment+in+NYC+2025&oq=what+is+the+average+cost+to+rent+a+1+bedroom+apartment+in+NYC+2025

The average cost for a 1-bedroom apartment in the U.S. in 2025 varies by source, but reports suggest the median is between approximately $1,495 and $1,595 per month. Some sources report a higher average, such as $1,629 per month as of September 2025. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+the+average+cost+to+rent+a+1+bedroom+apartment+in+the+US+2025

The average blue-collar wage in New York City is approximately $28.09 per hour, though specific rates vary by occupation and experience. For the NYC-Newark-Jersey City area, the average hourly wages are about $29.32 for installation, maintenance, and repair occupations, $23.14 for production, and $22.71 for transportation and material moving, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+the+average+blue+collar+wage+in+nyc+2025

The total combined sales tax rate in New York City is 8.875% in 2025. 

This rate is composed of three components: 

New York State sales tax rate: 4.0%

New York City local sales tax rate: 4.5%

Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD) surcharge: 0.375% 

https://www.google.com/search?q=are+nyc+sales+taxes+8.875%25+in+2025

This combined rate applies to most taxable goods and services in all five NYC boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island). Certain items have specific tax rules or are exempt, such as most groceries and clothing/footwear items priced under $110. 

For the 2025 tax year, the New York State income tax rate ranges from 4% to 10.9%, depending on your income and filing status

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+the+state+income+tax+rate+in+nyc+in+2025

Comments

The average cost to rent a 1 bedroom apartment in NYC is over double the cost of renting a 1 bedroom apartment elsewhere  in the US. Taxes in NYC total 12.875%. Wages in NYC aren’t that much higher at $60,000 for Blue Collar Workers. It appears that NYC has a “Tax Problem”. The cost of maintaining NYC as a “Show-Place” is too expensive for the Blue Collar Workers that work there. All large US Cities suffering from “Show-Place Syndrome” need to pay attention and be careful.

Large companies will continue to leave NYC to further reduce their costs. Some form of “Profit-Sharing” for “High-Profit Events” may be the answer for NYC Blue Collar Workers.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

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