Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Manhattan Rent Sparks Debate Over New York Living Costs
Khushi Jain lives in New York City with her partner.
She said their two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan costs about $10,000 every month.
She also said their total monthly spending is about $10,000, including rent and other expenses.
This could add up to about ₹95 lakh to ₹1.14 crore in a year.
Jain said she could not find a Manhattan apartment for less than $10,000.
She said some other areas may offer apartments for $5,000 to $6,000 a month.
People online disagreed about whether Manhattan living is really this expensive.
Some said New York salaries are also much higher, while others said the rent figures were exaggerated.
Content creator and entrepreneur Khushi Jain said she pays about $10,000 monthly for a two-bedroom Manhattan apartment.
Jain said she could not find a Manhattan apartment below $10,000 and decided to move out of the borough.
She said apartments in Brooklyn, Long Island City, Queens and Astoria may cost about $5,000-$6,000 monthly.
Jain estimated a couple’s total New York City expenses at $10,000 monthly, or roughly ₹95 lakh-₹1.14 crore annually.
Online commenters disagreed over whether the costs were realistic, with some calling the figures overhyped and others citing higher local incomes.
- Who
- Khushi Jain, a content creator and entrepreneur, discussed her New York City expenses with finance influencer Sharan Hegde.
- What
- Jain disclosed approximately $10,000 monthly rent and discussed the broader cost of living for a couple.
- When
- The article does not specify when the video was recorded or posted.
- Where
- Manhattan and other parts of New York City, including Brooklyn, Long Island City, Queens and Astoria.
- Why
- The disclosure prompted debate about New York City’s affordability and whether converting the costs into Indian rupees gives a fair comparison.
Costs Reflect New York Incomes
Manhattan Costs Are Overhyped
Currency conversion
Costs Reflect New York Incomes
Some commenters said converting New York costs into Indian rupees is not an apples-to-apples comparison because incomes in New York are higher.
Manhattan Costs Are Overhyped
Other commenters supported comparing the amount in rupees to show how expensive the lifestyle appears to Indian viewers.
Typical apartment rent
Costs Reflect New York Incomes
Jain said she could not find a Manhattan apartment below $10,000 and suggested that Manhattan rentals can be even more expensive.
Manhattan Costs Are Overhyped
Some commenters said attractive two-bedroom apartments can be found for $4,000-$5,000, or around $6,000 with amenities, making the $10,000 figure unusually high.
Affordability of New York City
Costs Reflect New York Incomes
The reported spending suggests that a couple may need up to $100,000-$120,000 annually for a comfortable life, according to Jain’s estimate.
Manhattan Costs Are Overhyped
Critics argued that the expenses reflect one expensive housing choice rather than the cost of living for everyone in New York City.
- Monthly rent
- About $10,000 for a two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan.
- Total monthly expenses
- About $10,000 for Jain and her partner, including rent and other expenses, according to Jain.
- Estimated annual expenses
- Approximately $100,000-$120,000, described in the article as roughly ₹95 lakh-₹1.14 crore.
- Lower-cost areas mentioned
- Brooklyn, Long Island City, Queens and Astoria.
- Possible alternative rent
- About $5,000-$6,000 monthly in the other areas mentioned.
- Jain’s housing decision
- She said she decided to move out of Manhattan after failing to find an apartment below $10,000.
- Public reaction
- Commenters disagreed over the fairness of rupee conversion and whether $10,000 rent is typical.