Monday, February 9, 2009

Price of apples



Well, the price of living in the Big Apple to be more specific...

A New Yorker would have to make $123,322 a year to have the same standard of living as someone making $50,000 in Houston.

In Manhattan, a $60,000 salary is equivalent to someone making $26,092 in Atlanta.

The average monthly rent in New York is $2,801, 53% higher than San Francisco, the second most expensive city in the country.


A couple of weeks ago, I saw an episode of "House Hunters" that took place in Michigan. The guy ended up buying a nice brick 3 bedroom, 2 bath, full basement home in a good neighborhood for $65,000.

If he got a 30 year mortgage (and why would you?), his monthly payment would be around $181/month. Even if he opted for a quicker 15 year mortgage, his payment would be around $362/month.

$2,801/month to rent a small walkup apartment OR $181/month to own a house?

Of course, you'd have to want to live in Michigan.

5 comments:

Rev. Gabrielle Michel said...

That's the problem, who wants to live in Michigan! BRRRRRR

Anonymous said...

I don't feel so bad about myy rent anymore.

Vampire Hours said...

Michigan does get cold, but I have to admit, the houses and city looked really nice.

Lo said...

My fiance - did I just call him that?! - and I ponder this all the time! We could OWN a house in Atlanta, Memphis, etc. for less than what we're paying in Santa Monica. But who wouldnt want to live in Santa Monica? :-)

Vampire Hours said...

LOL! Yeah, it would be pretty hard to leave Santa Monica for Michigan.

The beach life isn't quite the same...