An Indian-origin woman living in New York City has surprised social media users after revealing how much she was paying for a two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan.
Khushi Jain, a content creator and entrepreneur, appeared in a video shared by finance influencer Sharan Hegde, who visited her apartment in New York. During their conversation, Jain revealed that she had been paying around $10,000 a month for a two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan.
The figure quickly caught attention, particularly among viewers comparing New York housing costs with expenses in India.
Why the apartment cost so much
Jain explained that the $10,000 figure came from the apartments she had seen while searching for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Manhattan.
The properties she considered were in buildings that offered amenities, which contributed to the overall rental prices. She also said that Manhattan apartments can cost even more, depending on the property and location.
Her search eventually led her outside Manhattan after she could not find a suitable apartment there for less than $10,000 a month.
Other parts of New York can be cheaper
Jain's experience was specific to Manhattan, rather than representative of every part of New York City.
She said renters can find relatively cheaper options in neighborhoods and areas including Brooklyn, Long Island City, Queens and Astoria, where two-bedroom apartments can cost around $5,000 to $6,000 a month.
The difference highlights how sharply housing prices can vary depending on where someone chooses to live within the New York metropolitan area.
The cost goes beyond rent
During the conversation, Hegde also asked Jain about her overall cost of living in New York.
Jain said she and her partner spend around $10,000 a month on rent and other expenses combined. Based on that figure, the report estimated their annual living expenses at approximately $100,000 to $120,000.
Social media starts a bigger debate
The video soon moved beyond Jain's personal housing experience, with users debating whether $10,000 is a typical figure for a two-bedroom apartment in New York.
Some commenters said comparable apartments could be found for $4,000 to $6,000, depending on the neighborhood, building and amenities. Others argued that comparing New York expenses directly with Indian prices can leave out differences in local salaries and purchasing power.
One user wrote, "It's not fair to convert to INR. It's not an apples to apples comparison- income in NYC is next level. Rents are aligned to the income.''
Another simply commented, "New York is not for beginners."
The discussion has therefore shifted from one apartment's rent to a larger question about what it actually costs to live in one of America's most expensive cities.
