Between 2001 and 2004, I worked in downtown Manhattan and commuted from a northwest suburb. My commute cost about $4,000 a year between train and ferry. Tack on NYC income tax...but still cheaper than living in the city (Manhattan) where there are no Wal-Marts, Sam's Clubs, Costco, Home Depot or Lowes. I remember buying a cup of soup for $5.00, and that was the cheap stuff.