How much does it cost to commute in New York?
In the New York metro area, households spend about 43.0% of income on the combined cost of housing and transportation, with transportation alone accounting for roughly 13.0% of income — about $12,297 per year for a typical household. (Source: CNT Housing + Transportation Affordability Index, area-median-income household.)
Public-transit fares near downtown New York range from $3.50 to $10.75, with a median single-trip fare of $7.50 across 2 agencies and 44 priced origin-destination fare pairs in the data. Bike-share is available via Citi Bike, priced at $4.99 to unlock plus $0.41 per minute.
Driving downtown means paying about $35.00 a day to park (median of 16 sampled garages). The region has 33 priced toll facilities, with rates from $1.40 to $25.40. On a simple daily round-trip basis from the data here, the lowest-cost option is taking transit at about $15.00 per day.
Cost by mode in New York
Daily round-trip cost, lowest first. All figures.
| Mode | Daily round trip | How it's priced |
|---|---|---|
| Public transitCheapest | $15.00 | 2 x median transit fare ($7.50) |
| Bike-share | $26.38 | Citi Bike: 2 x (unlock $4.99 + 20 min @ $0.41/min) |
| Drive (park + toll) | $37.80 | downtown parking $35.00/day + 2 x lowest priced toll ($1.40) |
Public transit fares
| Agency | Fares | Median | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| mdb-550 | 22 | $7.50 | $3.50–$10.75 |
| Shore Line East | 22 | $7.50 | $3.50–$10.75 |
Bike-share
A typical 20-minute ride costs about $13.19.
Toll roads near New York
33 priced toll facilities, rates from $1.40 to $25.40.
| Facility | Operator | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| NY State Thruway (Main Line I-87/I-90) | NY State Thruway Authority | $25.40 |
| Lincoln Tunnel | Port Authority of NY & NJ | $16.79 |
| Holland Tunnel | Port Authority of NY & NJ | $16.79 |
| George Washington Bridge | Port Authority of NY & NJ | $16.79 |
| Goethals Bridge | Port Authority of NY & NJ | $16.79 |
| Outerbridge Crossing | Port Authority of NY & NJ | $16.79 |
| Bayonne Bridge | Port Authority of NY & NJ | $16.79 |
| NJ Turnpike (Full Length Exit 1-18W) | New Jersey Turnpike Authority | $16.41 |
Downtown parking
Housing + Transportation affordability
The widely cited affordability benchmark is 45% for housing + transportation combined. Source: CNT H+T Index (AMI household). Typical household drives 11,594 miles/yr.
The numbers above are metro-wide medians. Enter your real origin and destination to compare drive, transit, park-and-ride, bike, and Uber by actual dollars — gas, tolls, parking, and fares included.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to commute by transit in New York?
The median single-trip transit fare in the New York area is $7.50, ranging from $3.50 to $10.75 depending on the agency and trip distance. A daily round trip costs roughly $15.00.
Is it cheaper to drive or take transit in New York?
Taking transit costs about $15.00 for a daily round trip, while driving and parking downtown costs about $37.80 per day (parking $35.00 plus tolls from $1.40). Transit is the cheaper option on a daily basis.
How much is daily parking in downtown New York?
Downtown New York parking costs about $35.00 per day, or $550.00 per month for a reserved spot, based on 16 sampled garages.
What are the toll roads near New York and what do they cost?
The New York region has 33 priced toll facilities. The highest-rate facility is NY State Thruway (Main Line I-87/I-90) (NY State Thruway Authority) at $25.40. Rates across the region run from $1.40 to $25.40.
How much does bike-share cost in New York?
Citi Bike bike-share in New York costs $4.99 to unlock plus $0.41 per minute. A 20-minute ride costs about $13.19.
What share of income goes to housing and transportation in New York?
In the New York metro, a typical household spends about 43.0% of income on housing and transportation combined, with 13.0% on transportation alone — roughly $12,297 per year. The widely cited affordability benchmark is 45% for H+T combined.