Um, duh? parent of my comment's thesis:

   NYC is needlessly expensive but not by as much as you think.

me: mentions supporting fact

   nyc costs are comparatively helped by not needing a car!

No one claimed nyc is cheaper, merely that just looking at rent doesn't accurately account for the real price differences. Note also that is a $200-$300 cost savings per person, so double it for a couple. And there is a QOL improvement: taking the train and either reading a book or merely being half-zoned out and sipping coffee is much better than driving.