Brooklyn vs Yonkers
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Brooklyn
Yonkers
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 37.3%, with Yonkers being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Brooklyn has equivalent purchasing power to $54,615 in Yonkers.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Brooklyn has the same purchasing power as $54,615 in Yonkers.
Conversely, $75,000 in Yonkers equals $102,993 in Brooklyn.
Living in Brooklyn vs Yonkers
Housing Costs
Brooklyn's housing index of 325 is higher Yonkers's 203, translating to median home prices of $780,000 vs $635,000. The $145,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,900/mo in Brooklyn compared to $2,200/mo in Yonkers, a monthly difference of $700.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Brooklyn and 106 in Yonkers. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Brooklyn vs $504/month in Yonkers. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 135 in Brooklyn and 117 in Yonkers. Monthly utility bills average approximately $540 in Brooklyn vs $468 in Yonkers. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 108 in Brooklyn and 107 in Yonkers. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $65,294 in Brooklyn and $80,600 in Yonkers. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $33,484 and $56,761 respectively. Yonkers residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,524/month to housing in Brooklyn vs $1,881/month in Yonkers. In Brooklyn, median rent of $2,900/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Yonkers, median rent of $2,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 122 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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