The United States' most expensive cities have been identified! In New York, wages don't keep up.

It once again became clear that living on high salaries is not equally easy in every city in the United States. According to a new study comparing 51 cities based on October 2026 data, New York ranks among the most disadvantaged due to the imbalance between income and cost of living.

In New York, 126 % of the Salary Covers Expenses

According to the study, rent and basic living expenses in New York amount to roughly 126 % of an average worker’s take‑home pay after taxes. The figure shows that residents need resources beyond their current income to meet basic needs.

High housing rents and daily living costs increase the budgetary pressure on workers in New York. Los Angeles and Miami also appear among cities where salaries struggle to cover living expenses.

At the Top of the List is Buffalo

One of the study’s striking findings is that Buffalo, located in New York state, stands out. Buffalo was highlighted as the most advantageous city in terms of quality of life and the balance between income and expenses.

Columbus, Kansas City, and Oklahoma City were among the cities that stood out in terms of being able to cover living costs with income.

High Salary Is Not Enough for a Comfortable Life

The study shows that a salary earned in a city alone does not determine living standards. In addition to income, rent, basic needs, and other essential expenses directly affect workers' economic situation.

In particular, workers earning high salaries in large cities may have to allocate a significant portion of their income to basic expenses due to rising living costs. Cities like Buffalo offer attractive alternatives for those seeking a more balanced income‑expense balance.