Manhattan is very expensive, but the parking example is a bad one. Manhattan is a different point in the design space of cities than say Houston. You don't have a car on Manhattan, because the city is configured so you don't need one. There are lots of people who make $1m/year in Manhattan that take the subway, bus, or commuter rail to work (or walk!).
Food is also, on the whole, cheaper than in many large cities. You pay somewhat more for groceries, but can often get away paying a lot less for eating lunch/dinner out, because of the prevalence of cheap ethnic food options.
Housing of course blows all of those advantages away in terms of its impact on your budget.
Food is also, on the whole, cheaper than in many large cities. You pay somewhat more for groceries, but can often get away paying a lot less for eating lunch/dinner out, because of the prevalence of cheap ethnic food options.
Housing of course blows all of those advantages away in terms of its impact on your budget.