The New York metro is home to 19,756,722 people (down 1.2% over five years), with a median household income of $97,334. Typical rent of $3,546/month works out to 43.7% of the median household income — above the 30% affordability threshold, a strain signal (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of New York's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 27.2% |
| Professional & management | 14.6% |
| Retail trade | 9.4% |
| Finance, insurance & real estate | 9.2% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 7.8% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 43.7% of median income leave little headroom — expect tenant price sensitivity. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the New York market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $3,546/month suggests a household income around $142,000/year. The metro's median household income is $97,334.
By workforce share: Education & health care (27.2%), Professional & management (14.6%), Retail trade (9.4%) (Census ACS 5-year).