Is Brooklyn (Williamsburg) Expensive?

New York, United States

+5% vs New York avg

Living in Brooklyn (Williamsburg), New York

Brooklyn (Williamsburg) is a moderately-priced area within New York, with a cost of living index of 105.0 — that is +5% compared to the New York average. It sits around the middle of the pack at #15 out of 30 neighborhoods. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $3,675/month, compared to a range of $2,520 in The Bronx to $4,725 in SoHo / Tribeca.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Brooklyn (Williamsburg), housing takes up roughly 47% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $147,000 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Brooklyn (Williamsburg)

Salaries in Brooklyn (Williamsburg) reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 105.0:

After tax and deductions of 33.7% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $147,000 would be roughly $97,461/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

105.0
COLI Index
1.05x
vs City Avg
$3,675
Est. 1BR Rent
#15
of 30 Areas
33.7%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Brooklyn (Williamsburg)

Estimated annual deductions on a $78,750 salary in Brooklyn (Williamsburg), New York (local employee).

Income Tax
16%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State + City Income Tax (NY)
10.3%
Total Deductions: 33.7%
Est. Take-Home: $52,236/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Brooklyn (Williamsburg) would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
London GBP £67,771
Dubai AED AED 394,048

Other Neighborhoods in New York

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
SoHo / Tribeca 135.0 1.35x +35%
Manhattan (Upper East Side) 130.0 1.30x +30%
West Village 128.0 1.28x +28%
Manhattan (Midtown) 125.0 1.25x +25%
Greenwich Village 125.0 1.25x +25%

View all 30 neighborhoods in New York →

Convert Your Salary

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New York City Comparisons

London vs New York New York vs San Francisco New York vs Los Angeles

Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Brooklyn (Williamsburg):

Castro, San Francisco Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco Bukit Timah, Singapore Richmond, London Potrero Hill, San Francisco Mission District, San Francisco

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brooklyn (Williamsburg) expensive in New York?

Brooklyn (Williamsburg) is near the city average for New York. Costs are about +5% vs the average, making it a mid-range neighborhood.

How does Brooklyn (Williamsburg) compare to the New York average?

The cost of living in Brooklyn (Williamsburg) is above the New York average. With a multiplier of 1.05x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are +5% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.