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"I Live Alone, But My Bathroom Is In The Hallway": New Yorkers Confessed How Much They Pay For Rent Vs. How Much They Actually Make Per Year

"I sued my landlord. That's why I pay $2,000 instead of $3,000."

Pernell Quilon
by Pernell Quilon

BuzzFeed Staff

New York — we've all heard of her. She's romantic, chaotic, tough, and expensive AF. And everybody wants to hang out with her. Like many millennials, I wish I could wake up in the same zip code as the Empire State Building, and have a morning routine reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada. Inspired by my recent Erewhon expedition in Los Angeles, I asked New Yorkers on my recent trip there how they afford to live in the iconic city.

new york skyline with text that says "the devil writes for buzzfeed"
20th Century Fox / Pernell Quilon

I wanted an array of answers, so I asked New Yorkers I met while exploring six buzz-worthy places: the subway, Times Square, Margaritaville resort, Mr. Purple bar at Hotel Indigo, Brooklyn's Alligator Lounge, and The Met museum. Out of the 33 locals I asked, 21 of them were down to talk.

new yorkers overlayed on a map of the city
Pernell Quilon

Note: Some names have been changed to honor anonymity. 

Here are 21 locals' confessions of their monthly rent, what they do for work, the salary they bring in each year, and the anonymous doodles I drew of them in exchange for their honesty:

The Subway
venture capitalist on the subway
Pernell Quilon

"The shared bathroom in the hallway is strange, but it's my sacrifice for my space.

New York is a place of extremes, and I like that. I can be in solitude at my home, or I can step outside and experience the complete opposite. I can be as active as I want to be here. That's why I came back."

architect in the street
Pernell Quilon

"My rent's really low because I'm sort of a sub-landlord. I'm paid pretty low as an architect, but I do get to look at buildings all day. I like that."

health economist in the subway station
Pernell Quilon

"My job feels pretty serious, which I like. And I live with my friends. I like that, too. I'm actually waiting for one of them right now before I get on the train."

non profit fundraiser waiting for the subway
Pernell Quilon

"Thanks for stopping me. You're Filipino, right? I wish I knew how to say goodbye in Tagalog, but I'll just settle on 'goodbye.'"

[Note: The author does speak English, and initiated this interaction in that language.]

Times Square
store supervisor in times square
Pernell Quilon

"I grew up in the Bronx, and now I commute into Times Square for work. I make music, too."

writer in front of building near times square
Pernell Quilon

"It's an expensive city, but I have another year on my two-year lease. And I'm still holding out for my New York romance."

server near times square
Pernell Quilon

"My income for the year depends on the tips honestly, but it's usually around that. I'm doing pretty good."

food delivery worker in times square smoking
Pernell Quilon

"I don't have to pay anything to stay at the shelter. It helps. I do what I can, and things usually get better."

street performer in times square
Pernell Quilon

"I breakdance. You've probably seen me around here on my head."

Margaritaville
producer in chair at bar margaritaville
Pernell Quilon

"I literally just got here last week and moved my stuff in today. I've always wanted to try living out in this city, and I'm famously in my flop era."

security guard with new york in back
Pernell Quilon

"Quick pace with a straight face! That's the Bronx."

producer on rooftop bar with new york in back
Pernell Quilon

"I have my own LLC, so the revenue and profit is always different. And people think Long Island is far, but Times Square is the easiest place for me to get to."

Mr. Purple
audio engineer on rooftop with manhattan in the back
Pernell Quilon

"I'm with my parents now, but the rooms I've been looking at run, like, $800-1,200 a month. This city's too damn expensive now. For real, the mafia needs to run these streets again — take these prices down.

I don't know why you're laughing."

producer on rooftop bar with manhattan in the back
Pernell Quilon

"I'm pretty new here. I started my own company and working for myself three years ago, and I'm making the most money I ever have. I don't pay as much in rent since I live with my roommate's four dogs, but if I took over and lived solo, it'd be $2,700 a month. I'm manifesting it.

I like my area. There's a popular park close by, and I have just a little more space in my part of Brooklyn."

Alligator Lounge
sales coordinator playing pool
Pernell Quilon

"My favorite place to play pool in Brooklyn is here at the Alligator Lounge. For Manhattan, it's Kingston Hall."

store owner in bar drinking
Pernell Quilon

"I own a vintage clothing store in Manhattan. There's not a shit ton of money in it, but I am my own boss. I like that."

social media manager drinking beer at a bar
Pernell Quilon

"I'm in my place because of a COVID deal. But they're raising the rent, and I'm moving out soon. I'm hoping I get accepted for a housing lottery — the rent would be $2,100 a month for a one-bedroom."

photographer drinking beer at a bar
Pernell Quilon

"I take pictures of furniture, and I sued my landlord. That's why I pay $2,000 instead of $3,000."

doctor at a bar with balloon tied to him
Pernell Quilon

"I'm a primary care doctor for people who live on the street. And this is actually my work going away party. I don't know what's coming next."

The Met
pharmacist waiting in the met
Pernell Quilon

"My husband is the artist. He's also an art teacher. I'm just waiting for him."

teacher sketching in the met
Pernell Quilon

"It's more convenient to be in a co-living space and less hassle, which was what I wanted since I just moved back here six months ago after being gone for a few years. 

I obviously don't make a lot, but I want to be here. I like to sketch around the city. I'm passionate about art. This city is full of it."

My takeaway: Most locals who were open to being real about their rent were from the Bronx or Brooklyn — Manhattan folks are touchy about rent transparency, I guess. Back in Los Angeles, I pay $1,725/month for a one-bedroom near Hollywood. So, while New York rent prices are high, they're not as out of reach for me as I thought...if I'm okay having a roommate. Based on these 21 responses, that's a sacrifice most New Yorkers put up with to afford their lifestyle. And after having a whirlwind week there, yeah, I get it.

author on rooftop bar with view of new york in back
Pernell Quilon

If you also live in New York, for the sake of rent transparency, what do you pay each month for rent? How do these prices compare to where you live? Share your side in the comments.

And to keep up with drawings like these, follow BuzzFeed's @comics.