We Started This in 2008
CheapInTheCity started 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 in Brooklyn 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. The name stayed the same because the mission stayed the same: help city dwellers make smarter financial decisions without the nonsense.
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 gives a result with zero context.
So we built something better.
Tools That Actually Respect Your Intelligence
The calculators on this site were designed by people who understand the math. Not just the surface-level formulas but the assumptions underneath them and why they matter. We wanted tools that talk to you like a person, give you real numbers and honest context, and don't treat "consult a financial advisor" as an acceptable answer to every question.
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 genuinely don't see it, store it, or care about it. We just want the tools to be useful.
A Few Things We Believe
Instant is the only acceptable speed
All calculations happen in your browser. No servers, no waiting, no loading spinners.
Your data is yours
We never collect, store, or transmit the financial numbers you enter. They never leave your device.
Plain English, always
If we can't explain a result in plain language, we haven't understood it well enough ourselves.
No dark patterns
No pop-ups, no countdown timers, no fake urgency, no pre-checked boxes. Ever.
Free means free
There is no premium tier. There is no feature gating. Everything works, for everyone, always.
NYC-native perspective
We live here. The tools reflect the reality of city life: 40x rent rules, broker fees, MTA costs, and all.