New York State and City income taxes combine to take a serious chunk out of your paycheck, and rent in the metro area is among the highest in the country. If you have been thinking about leaving, the numbers below show how much more breathing room you get in 15 of the most popular destinations for New Yorkers. All comparisons assume a $100K salary, single filer, and a two-bedroom apartment.
Take-home there
$6,561/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,730/mo
Left in NYC
$2,916/mo
Left there
$4,831/mo
Take-home there
$6,561/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,852/mo
Left in NYC
$2,916/mo
Left there
$4,709/mo
Take-home there
$6,561/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,931/mo
Left in NYC
$2,916/mo
Left there
$4,630/mo
Take-home there
$6,561/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,972/mo
Left in NYC
$2,916/mo
Left there
$4,589/mo
Take-home there
$6,561/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,977/mo
Left in NYC
$2,916/mo
Left there
$4,584/mo
Take-home there
$6,382/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,839/mo
Left in NYC
$2,916/mo
Left there
$4,543/mo
Take-home there
$6,186/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,686/mo
Left in NYC
$2,916/mo
Left there
$4,500/mo
Take-home there
$6,186/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,750/mo
Left in NYC
$2,916/mo
Left there
$4,436/mo
Take-home there
$6,159/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,820/mo
Left in NYC
$2,916/mo
Left there
$4,339/mo
Take-home there
$6,561/mo
2-BR Rent there
$2,436/mo
Left in NYC
$2,916/mo
Left there
$4,125/mo
Take-home there
$6,195/mo
2-BR Rent there
$2,089/mo
Left in NYC
$2,916/mo
Left there
$4,106/mo
Take-home there
$6,561/mo
2-BR Rent there
$2,501/mo
Left in NYC
$2,916/mo
Left there
$4,060/mo
Take-home there
$6,090/mo
2-BR Rent there
$2,246/mo
Left in NYC
$2,916/mo
Left there
$3,844/mo
Take-home there
$6,115/mo
2-BR Rent there
$2,601/mo
Left in NYC
$2,916/mo
Left there
$3,514/mo
Take-home there
$6,145/mo
2-BR Rent there
$2,941/mo
Left in NYC
$2,916/mo
Left there
$3,204/mo
The savings shown above come from two things: lower state and local taxes in most destinations, and significantly lower rent. Some cities like Austin and Denver have gotten more expensive recently, but they still come out well ahead of New York. For the full breakdown including weather, schools, healthcare, and more, use the comparison tool.
Compare with your own salaryData from IRS (2026 brackets) and HUD Fair Market Rents (FY2026). Single filer, 2-bedroom apartment, $100K salary.