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New York
#45 of 124
North America

New York

NY, United States

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in New York compare to Miami?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in New York is 1% worse off vs in Miami

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in New York compared to Miami, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$197,000
+$57K (+41%) vs Miami
Based on 7820 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$128,444
+$29K (+29%) vs Miami
Tax Rate: 35%

Community Insights

New
7.5/10

New York City remains a polarizing yet magnetic hub for software engineers. It offers unmatched career trajectory and salary potential, ranking among the top globally for net income. However, the financial barrier to entry is steep; residents frequently complain about the "hustle" required just to afford basic housing. While the city provides an exhilarating lifestyle with infinite variety, the trade-off is often a smaller living space and a higher baseline stress level compared to other tech hubs. For many, the energy and ambition of the city make the drawbacks worth it, but burnout is a commonly cited risk.

The Good

  • Unrivaled career growth opportunities with a massive density of FAANG, fintech, and high-growth startups.

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to Miami.

Rankings

Community Events

Top 2%

#2

of 124 cities

60 events on luma

Current value

Net Income

Top 5%

#6

of 124 cities

$128,444/yr

Current value

Comfortable Weather

Top 26%

#32

of 124 cities

66/100 weather score

Current value

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in New York compared to Miami?

Avg. Property Price
$12,115 / m²
130% more expensive than Miami
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in New York to maintain the same standard of living.

$

Do you have kids?

Cost of Living
30% more expensive than Miami
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in New York

Citadel logo
Citadel
Hudson River Trading logo
Hudson River Trading
Figma logo
Figma
  • Access to a vibrant tech community with endless meetups, hackathons, and networking events.
  • World-class cultural amenities, dining, nightlife, and entertainment options available 24/7.
  • Excellent walkability and extensive public transit system (subway), eliminating the need for a car.
  • High compensation packages that often outweigh the high cost of living for senior roles.
  • Incredible diversity and energy, creating a fast-paced environment that many find motivating.

    • The Bad

    • Extremely high cost of living, particularly rent, which often requires earning 40x the monthly rate to qualify.
    • Housing stock is often old and cramped, with issues like walk-ups, lack of in-unit laundry, and pest problems.
    • Significant tax burden, including a unique New York City local income tax on top of state and federal taxes.
    • Daily life can be stressful and draining due to noise, grime, crowding, and the relentless pace.
    • The rental market is cutthroat, often involving broker fees and rapid decision-making.

    Moving Here

    Hard

    Relocating is challenging. For foreigners, the US visa system (H1B, L1) is notoriously difficult and lottery-based, with sponsorship becoming scarcer for junior roles. Domestically, the housing market presents a major hurdle; securing an apartment requires extensive paperwork, high liquidity for deposits/fees, and often a guarantor. While the city is culturally open and English is the only language needed, the bureaucratic and financial friction of moving here is significant.

    Who Is This City For?

    ambitious career-climbers, social butterflies, and those who value experiences over square footage. It is unmatched for those wanting to be at the center of finance and tech innovation. It should be avoided by those who prioritize quiet, vast personal space, or saving a high percentage of income on a junior salary.

    Updated 1/20/2026

    Weather6.6/10+113% vs Miami
    Safety49+5%
    Pollution58+47%
    Events60+445%
    6.6/10TechCities weather score vs 3.1/10 in Miami

    0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

    Weather snapshot

    Average High
    17°C(vs 28°C in Miami)
    Average Low
    10°C(vs 22°C in Miami)
    Sunshine Hours
    2,535h/yr-619h/yr(-20%)
    Hottest Month High
    29°C(vs 32°C in Miami)
    Coldest Month Low
    -2°C(vs 17°C in Miami)
    Rainy Days
    94/yr-32/yr(-26%)

    Community & Quality

    New York community pulse

    New York has 60 Luma events listed.

    445% more events than Miami.

    Purchasing Power

    Middle of the pack

    #45

    of 124 cities

    Home Affordability

    Middle of the pack

    #58

    of 124 cities

    ≈7.5 yrs to buy 80m²

    Current value

    Safety Index

    Middle of the pack

    #82

    of 124 cities

    49.1/100

    Current value

    Pollution Score

    Bottom 34%

    #83

    of 124 cities

    58.1/100

    Current value (lower is better)

    Tax Rate

    Bottom 32%

    #86

    of 124 cities

    35%

    Current value (lower is better)

    Cost of Living

    Bottom 2%

    #123

    of 124 cities

    100/100

    Current value (lower is better)

    SWE Affordability
    7.5 years
    3.3 years longer than Miami
    Muggy Days
    46/yr-202/yr(-82%)
    Cloud Cover
    46%(same as Miami)