Is $120,000 enough to live in New York?
Short answer: Comfortable, depending on lifestyle and city.
Monthly take-home
$7,200
Estimated baseline living cost: $2,600 – $5,300 per month for a single adult (U.S. average).
Annual take-home
$86,405
After taxes, a $120,000 salary in New York results in approximately $86,405 per year, or about $7,200 per month.
Typical monthly cost breakdown in New York
Rent & utilities
$2,000 – $2,800
Food & groceries
$500 – $700
Transportation
$300 – $600
Health & insurance
$300 – $500
👉 With this salary, living in New York is comfortable for a single adult.
How this salary feels in major cities
New York City
Est. monthly cost: $4,600
Brooklyn
Est. monthly cost: $4,200
Buffalo
Est. monthly cost: $2,900
Rochester
Est. monthly cost: $2,700
These estimates assume a single filer using standard deductions and average living costs. Actual comfort depends heavily on city, housing choices, and personal spending habits.