CheapInTheCity started in 2008 as a scrappy NYC blog for people trying to figure out how to actually afford life in New York City. Back then it was tips about cheap eats and how to negotiate rent. A lot has changed since then. We relaunched as a free suite of financial calculators and curated lists built specifically for people living in expensive cities who are tired of being talked down to by the financial industry.
We are economists and technologists living in New York City, and we are convinced that being cheap in this city is basically a full-time job. The rent is absurd. Student loans are a reminder that 22-year-old us had absolutely no concept of compound interest. And every time we try to make a real financial decision, we end up on some bloated financial website that takes 45 seconds to load, has four pop-ups before you can see anything, and then gives a result with zero context.
So we built something better. The calculators on this site were designed by people who understand the math, not just the surface-level formulas but the assumptions underneath them. We also put together honest lists of free resources, deals, and money-saving options for city dwellers because good financial decisions are not just about the numbers. Sometimes they are about knowing where to look.
Everything here is free. No email required. No upsells. No "upgrade to premium to see your results." The data you enter stays in your browser. We don't see it, store it, or care about it. We just want the tools to be useful.