No doubt, I'm sure the IRS would love to know how he lives in NYC on $2k gross...

$2k/month is $24,000/year, at which income the IRS does not take nearly as much. According to the IRS calculator, he would be paying $1,628 in income tax. Add in payroll tax and that's $3308 total. So his after-tax income is not far off from $2k at $1724/month.

Assuming he has roommates, his rent and other fixed costs will be less than $1k, so he will be ok, if rather Bohemian.

I mean spending $2k/month on everything, not living on a $2k gross salary. Plenty of people in less-well-compensated industries do that, though— it just means more compromises in terms of living arrangement or commute or neighborhood safety or ...

You can even own a modest apartment on that salary: http://streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/789809-coop-3131-grand-concou...

My Manhattan living expenses at the moment are about $1000/month (rent, utilities, monthly metro card, and phone plan). It's not really all that hard.

I live in Staten Island and rent for a 1 bedroom is $800 in a nice neighborhood and new house - you could get a 1 bedroom in NYC for $2400.

si != nyc ;)

Jokes aside, I'm in a Crown Heights 1br for < $,1200

Hey I'm in Crown Heights too! 1br for < $1625

Yes, CH varies quite a bit, and you can find a 1br for > $2200 tbh.

You can definitely find a 1BR apartment in brooklyn for <$2000/month. And a two bedroom for not much more, if you look.

While I agree with your initial numbers, you can get a decent apartment in White Plains around $1700 (or less if you find a deal, have lower standards, don't mind commuting, etc.).

Source: used to live/work there and just checked on craigslist.

You can rent a large bedroom in Manhattan with great subway access for $650-800, if you don't mind a 20 minute commute to midtown.

If you can't survive on $3,000-$3,500 a month here, you have a spending problem, not an earning problem.

maybe you should room with akgerber...