Is Queens (Long Island City) Expensive?

New York, United States

-5% vs New York avg

Living in Queens (Long Island City), New York

Queens (Long Island City) is a relatively affordable area in New York, with a cost of living index of 95.0 — that is -5% compared to the New York average. At #19 of 30, it is below the city average in cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $3,325/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 Queens (Long Island City), housing takes up roughly 43% 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 $133,000 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Queens (Long Island City)

Salaries in Queens (Long Island City) reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 95.0:

After tax and deductions of 33.0% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $133,000 would be roughly $89,110/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

95.0
COLI Index
0.95x
vs City Avg
$3,325
Est. 1BR Rent
#19
of 30 Areas
33.0%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Queens (Long Island City)

Estimated annual deductions on a $71,250 salary in Queens (Long Island City), New York (local employee).

Income Tax
15%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State + City Income Tax (NY)
10.3%
Total Deductions: 33.0%
Est. Take-Home: $47,733/yr

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

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Queens (Long Island City) would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
London GBP £61,317
Dubai AED AED 356,520

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

See exactly what you need to earn in Queens (Long Island City), New York to maintain your lifestyle.

Open Salary Converter

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 Queens (Long Island City):

Chêne-Bourg, Geneva Lancy, Geneva Islands Brygge, Copenhagen Novena, Singapore Seebach, Zurich Camden, London

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Queens (Long Island City) expensive in New York?

Queens (Long Island City) is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in New York. It costs about -5% less than the city average, ranking #19 out of 30 neighborhoods.

How does Queens (Long Island City) compare to the New York average?

The cost of living in Queens (Long Island City) is below the New York average. With a multiplier of 0.95x, 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.