Highlights

  • The cost of living in NYC is a crucial factor to consider when moving. Rental prices vary by neighborhood, with an average of $4,250 for a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan. Additionally, owning a car can be expensive, with an average monthly garage cost of $450.
  • NYC offers an extensive public transportation system, including subways and buses. The subway fare is $2.75 per ride, and various passes and cards can help save money. Living and working on the same subway line can be convenient to avoid connections.
  • New York City has high taxes, with a 4.00% state income tax and a 10.90% city taxable personal income rate. Sales tax in the city is 4.5%, but clothing and footwear under $110 are exempt.
  • When moving within New York, the moving costs can vary depending on factors like home size, distance, and additional services. Hourly rates for local moves start around $95, while long-distance moves are based on the weight of furniture and belongings, with rates typically starting at $0.50-$0.80 per pound.
NYC relocation guide

New York City – the world’s capital of… well, of everything it is! We all have seen New York City, we all have heard of it.

Yet, you are moving now, and it will be very different, not as seen on TV.  Still that crowded and continuously glittering though, just like in the movies. Yet the feeling to live in a city that never sleeps is unrivaled.

NYC is packed with everything a human may think of and wish for, day or night. Thus, there are a lot of things to know before moving to New York City. In this moving to NYC guide, we will point your attention to what you need to know about moving to New York City.

New York City Cost of Living

One thing that definitely needs your attention is the cost of living. You have to identify exactly how much you can spend on rent in NYC because this will be your biggest expense.

Just go online and start looking for your future neighborhood, though renting an apartment in NYC can be incredibly intimidating. The rental prices vary greatly by neighborhood. Expect an average of $4,250 for one bedroom apartment in Manhattan and less in other nearby hoods. Around $3,543 for a studio apartment and around $5,000 for 2 bedrooms apartment according to RentHop.com.

Since most likely you are considering cutting the cost to the bare minimum, keep in mind having a car is the second biggest expense in New York City. This is a great walking city with extensive public transportation and tons of cabs (just like in the movies).

If you love your car and have extra cash, you can have it. Remember though, you will have to spend an average of $450 a month for a garage.

All the garages in New York City

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New York City Taxes

The state and city of New York have one of the highest taxes in the country.  Besides State and Federal taxes, NYC charges a Personal Income tax. State tax is 4.00% and the city taxable personal income rate is 10.90%. And Sales tax in the city is 4.5% according to TaxFoundation.org. Clothing and footwear under $110 are exempt from sales tax.

Average salary in New York City

According to Gusto.com the median salary in NYC is $59,752 and the average salary is $76.339 with 80% of salaries falling between $31,200 and $150,000.

Life in New York

New York City has been a breeding ground for cultural, social, and political movements and changes. You should definitely take the time to experience a guided tour, but stroll the streets of Manhattan yourself and will surely find tons of places to learn more about the city. There is nothing more exciting than introducing yourself to your new home!

It’s not a coincidence that New York is a city that never sleeps. This is the place where life is constantly happening. There are thousands of clubs and bars to go to and have fun.

It’s the hub of the media and theater world, a vital center for the music and literature world, as well as where Wall Street is. Broadway or Off-Broadway play, a big shiny club, or a small jazz bar, there is a street leading to all of those.

New York Government is the largest public funder of the arts in the US. So, take a pick and enjoy a sleepless night in New York City or an enlightening day in the streets and museums.

So let’s talk about the things you need to know before moving to New York …

Moving within New York City with Public Transportation

As much as you will have the great opportunity to walk to the nearby grocery store or cafe, most likely to get to work you will need public transportation. As I said, NYC has a vast train network and dozens of bus lines.

The subway pay-per-ride fare is $2.75 as they offer a variety of passes and cards to save you money. The best that can happen is to live and work on the same subway line, so you don’t have to make any connections. How to ride the NYC subway?

New York City Relocation Guide

Moving could be an intimidating task, especially if it’s in the direction of The Capital of The World. You have to hire a moving company that has experience in executing moves to NYC. Of course, you will be looking at the price first, but don’t let that be your only point of guidance when comparing quotes.

Check the company’s affiliations and customer ratings. Go online and read reviews on movers in New York or ask the sales consultants about references.

Follow the standard criteria and make sure the company is licensed by the Department of Transportation, insured, BBB accredited mover and that it offers additional insurance if you need it for some of your more valuable goods. Make sure the company is legally existing by checking it at The Corporation and Business Entity Database. Get a free moving quote now from professionals in NYC or call us at 1 (800) 680-6439.

New York moving advice

NYC Moving Tips

Parking in NYC can be a real challenge. Talk to the movers to make sure they will take care of the parking permits because in New York parking when moving can quickly become your biggest nightmare.

It is mandatory to get a prearranged parking permit near the building in order for the movers to do their job.

If you don’t know how to make sure the moving company knows. Keep in mind that moving companies will add all charges of any parking tickets received during your move to your final bill. Furthermore, reserving the elevator is the other mandatory condition for the movers to operate professionally and efficiently, especially in New York City.

Consider your drop-off frame and reserve the elevator accordingly. Moreover, most buildings in NYC require that the moving company provide a certificate of insurance in case of any damages to the property. Ask and request such from the moving company.

NYC Moving Cost

Successful moving with the NYC moving company you select. Getting an NYC moving estimate from a professional moving company is fairly easy. But how to tell if the company moving prices are right?

Depending on the type of move, companies charge by the hour if you are moving locally (usually within the state, or the nearby neighboring states) and by weight if you are moving long distance (interstate moves) while some companies charge flat fees when moving from certain popular destinations like Boston or Washington DC.

To provide you with the most accurate average moving prices, we sum the price of all 393 reviews submitted by users, who have moved within New York. Then we divide the sum by the number of reviews and normalize the total average to get the most accurate average possible.

Based on the price calculation of 393 reviews, we estimate that a move within New York should very roughly cost between $1512 and $4320.

Naturally, actual prices may vary significantly if you get in contact with New York movers since our average is calculated based on the reviews and not by the moving companies themselves.

Some of the most significant pricing factors are:

  • Home size.
  • Distance between the pickup and delivery locations.
  • The dates of the move.
  • Supplemental services like packing, assembly, storage etc.

It’s best to compare prices of multiple movers to make sure you get the best deal.

New York moving costs by the Hour

Many of the local movers charge an hourly rate for a local move. The NYC hourly moving rates are determined based on the number of men and the type of trucks used.

Average NYC moving costs for a reputable moving company start from about $95/hour. Based on the location you are moving to for a studio or a small 1 bedroom apartment it could take between 4 and 5 hours to relocate.

NYC moving rates by Weight

If you are moving from another state, your moving rates will be based on the weight of your furniture and belongings. In most cases, companies have a minimum weight charge of 1500-2000 lbs.

If you are moving from popular US cities such as Boston or DC, the rates start from $0.50-$0.80 per lb and it can go up to a dollar based on the distance. As an estimate, a studio or a small 1-bedroom apartment weighs about 2200 lbs.

Finally, you are moving, and in case you need more things to know before moving to New York City, check out the rest of our Moving Resources section and don’t forget to write a review on your cross-country moving company and share your experience.

Related posts: The complete Boston moving guide The Moving to Chicago guide Best Rated NYC Movers

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the average cost of moving in NYC?

The average price of a move within NYC starts from $600 and can go up to $3.000 depending on the size of the move.

Is $80,000 a comfortable salary in NYC?

Living in New York City on a salary of $80,000 can be manageable, but it will depend on your lifestyle, expenses, and budgeting. NYC is known for its high cost of living, including housing, transportation, and everyday expenses. While $80,000 may be enough for a comfortable living in some parts of the city, it may require careful budgeting and prioritization of expenses. Rent, in particular, can be a significant portion of your budget, especially in popular neighborhoods like Manhattan.

How much do you tip your NYC mover?

Tipping movers in NYC is a common practice and a way to show appreciation for their hard work. It is generally recommended to tip movers 10% to 20% of the total moving cost.

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