New York City is one of the most expensive places to live, not just in the United States but in the world, and residents are shelling out some of the highest #incometaxes in the country. Beyond that, New Yorkers face some of the least affordable housing in the country. That's particularly true for residents who want to be in the heart of it all and live in Manhattan, where the cost of living was 148% higher than the average cost for major U.S. cities in 2019.

The high #costofliving in #NYC starts with its housing market. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $2,499, far more expensive than the U.S. median and most of the world's large cities.

Whether people rent or buy, there is also the cost of utilities, including heat, electricity, water, and garbage. Even these basic utility costs are higher—a package for a 915-square-foot unit in New York costs $145.55 a month. While residents can avoid the price of a vehicle with one of the best public transit systems in the country, they will still incur expenses. Like everything else in the Big Apple, public transit is also one of the most expensive in the world. 

However, some of the best NYC experiences are inexpensive or entirely free. Central Park on a warm spring day, Chinese food around the corner after a night of partying with your friends from all over the world, walking the Brooklyn Bridge with that special someone at twilight, wondering why Christmas lights are still up in your favorite food joint in Little India. At the same time, you dig into some of the best curries outside of South Asia, people-watching anywhere, talking to cabbies and hearing some of the most interesting life stories from parts of the world you didn't know about are just a few of the many great things to experience in #NYC. 

It is the city that never sleeps, with new adventures at every turn. Living in New York can be an expensive lifestyle, and while some argue that the cost is too high, others say that you get what you pay for, and in New York, that means a full and adventurous life. 

The question for debate is: Is New York City worth the cost of living there?