Average Moving Costs to NYC
| From | Studio/1BR | 2BR |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia (95 mi) | $800-$1,500 | $1,500-$2,500 |
| Boston (215 mi) | $1,500-$2,500 | $2,500-$4,000 |
| Chicago (790 mi) | $2,500-$4,000 | $4,000-$6,500 |
| Los Angeles (2,800 mi) | $4,500-$7,000 | $7,000-$11,000 |
Best Neighborhoods for Newcomers
Astoria, Queens
Avg Rent: $2,200-$2,800 (1BR)
Diverse, great food scene, 20-30 min to Manhattan, near parks
Park Slope, Brooklyn
Avg Rent: $2,800-$3,500 (1BR)
Family-friendly, Prospect Park, great schools, safe
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Avg Rent: $3,200-$4,000 (1BR)
Trendy, nightlife, waterfront, young professionals
Jersey City, NJ
Avg Rent: $2,400-$3,200 (1BR)
15 min to Manhattan, more space, PATH train access
NYC Moving Regulations
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Most buildings require movers to provide COI 48-72 hours before move. Your moving company must have $1M+ liability insurance.
Elevator Reservation
Book service elevator 1-2 weeks in advance. Some buildings charge $100-$300 deposit. Moving hours typically 9am-5pm weekdays only.
Parking
Street parking is scarce. Get no-parking permit from DOT ($50-$100) or risk $115+ tickets. Some buildings have loading docks.
Utilities & Services
Electric
Con Edison - $80-$150/month
Internet
Spectrum, Verizon Fios - $50-$90/month
Heat & Hot Water
Usually included in rent (legally required)
Trash
Included - municipal collection
Transportation
Subway: MetroCard $2.90/ride, unlimited monthly $132. Most comprehensive system, 24/7 service.
Car: Not recommended. Parking costs $300-$600/month. Insurance 2-3x higher than national average.
Bike: Citi Bike membership $205/year. NYC has 1,400+ miles of bike lanes.
Cost of Living Overview
- • Rent (1BR): $2,500-$4,000+/month depending on borough
- • Groceries: 25-30% above national average
- • Dining out: $15-$25 casual, $50-$100+ nice dinner
- • Gym membership: $80-$150/month
- • State income tax: 4-10.9% (NYC adds 3.078-3.876%)