Living alone in New York City continues to require a substantial income, with a solo renter needing to earn approximately $153,600 annually before taxes to afford a typical studio apartment comfortably, according to a recent affordability analysis. This figure is based on the guideline that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross income. The average monthly rent for a studio in New York stands at $3,840.
Despite the high threshold in New York, the affordability situation has improved nationally. Among the 100 largest U.S. cities assessed, 30 are now classified as unaffordable for an average earner, marking the lowest number since the index was first compiled three years ago. On average, renters nationwide seeking solo living have seen the income required to afford housing decrease by about $150 per month compared to the previous year.
The easing of rental pressures is largely attributed to a significant increase in apartment construction and a moderation in rental demand. The U.S. added 695,000 new apartments in 2024—an unprecedented level not seen in four decades—and another 531,000 units followed in 2025. Concurrently, slower demand has led landlords to offer incentives such as free rent or waived fees.
Some smaller and more affordable cities have experienced notable improvements. For instance, in Oklahoma City, where the average studio rent is $735 per month, a renter needs to earn approximately $29,400 annually to meet the affordability standard. Similarly, in Lexington, Kentucky, studios average $984 monthly, requiring an income near $39,400. Other cities with comparable affordability include Phoenix ($945 monthly), Detroit ($944), and El Paso, Texas ($875), where required earnings range between $35,000 and $38,000 annually.
In contrast, larger metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles still pose affordability challenges, with studios renting for about $2,004 per month on average, translating to an income need around $80,000 annually—significantly less than New York but still demanding.
The national median studio rent was reported at $1,595 in August. However, the recent improvements may be temporary as new apartment construction has decreased sharply from its 2022 peak, hitting the lowest quarterly start rate since 2011, which could restrict future housing supply.
In a separate development, a study from Australia has shed light on the impact of caffeine consumption on sleep quality. Researchers analyzed 24 studies to determine how timing of caffeine intake affects rest. They recommend that coffee consumption should end at least 8.8 hours before bedtime to prevent interference with sleep. For a typical 10 p.m. bedtime, this means the last cup of coffee should be consumed by approximately 1:12 p.m.
Pre-workout supplements, which often contain higher caffeine levels than coffee, should be taken even earlier—at least 13.2 hours before sleeping. For the same 10 p.m. bedtime, this limits intake to before 8:48 a.m. Consuming caffeine closer to bedtime was found to reduce total sleep time by about 45 minutes and increase the time taken to fall asleep by nine minutes, highlighting the need for careful caffeine timing to maintain optimal rest.