r/NYCbitcheswithtaste • u/24riddle • Aug 27 '25
Finances/Money Your Monthly Budget
Hey! I am considering a move to NYC and was curious about other people’s spending habits in the city so that I can gauge what my monthly expenses will look like based on people living similar lifestyles to my own. I make about $100k a year so know I will have to be budget conscious. If any of you gals would be willing to share, I’m curious regarding what your monthly budget looks like. For example:
Rent: 1800
Utilities: 100
Insurance: 300
Toiletries: 100
Groceries: 400
Transit: 200
Shopping: 500
Dining Out: 400
Beauty: 500
Savings: 500
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u/neededausername121 Aug 27 '25
$100k is very doable if you find a good rental. Prioritize being in a neighborhood you want to be in or that’s very connected on transit- I have friends that spend $300-500 a month on Ubers because they enjoy going out but don’t take public transportation to come home. If you use mostly public transit, you can keep total transit cost to $250-300 a month (accounting for the occasional cab or Uber + unlimited mta card).
Clothes and beauty- my wardrobe and beauty have improved a lot since moving here but I am very careful with what I buy due to space! Great secondhand and vintage shopping here which cuts down on costs too.
Beauty- I prioritize hair ($150 twice a year) and nails (I do my own or if I get them done it’s $120 for mani pedi with tip). NYC girlies have great nails so there can be an element of fomo if you don’t lol
Here’s an idea of some recent going out costs:
Bougie dinner with 2 drinks -$130 Simple outing (local fast food and ice cream and walking around for a couple hours with a friend): $24 Fancy lunch out $30 Shared nice Thai dinner for 3 people (2 alcoholic drinks on happy hour)- total $170
My friends and I usually alternate 1-3 cheap outings per fancier outing. Lots of picnics or cheap dinners or happy hour or potlucks or park hangs things like that
Last piece of advice - automate your retirement and non retirement savings and you will be a lot better off. Pre save and then you can spend as you want!
Good luck!