City Comparison
Powell vs New York City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Powell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Powell
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Powell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
61% lower than in New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Powell's average rent is
72% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Powell | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $3,382 | -72% |
| Groceries | $380 | $520 | -27% |
| Utilities | $170 | $370 | -54% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $4,652 | -61% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 48% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, New York City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Powell is estimated at
$45,000 vs $61,000 in New York City.
| Metric | Powell | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,522 idx | 56,672 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Powell runs warmer on average — a 46.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Powell comes out ahead with 294 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Powell sees 33.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Powell | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 12.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 14.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 33.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 294 | |
| Humidity | 50.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Powell has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
14,500 minutes (242 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Powell | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 88.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 89.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 167.60 |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Powell is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Powell has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Powell | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,489 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | $1,354.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Powell
Advantages
Violent and property crime rates are significantly lower than the U.S. national average per FBI crime data.
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain below the national average per US Census Bureau metrics.
Proximity to Yellowstone National Forest provides world-class outdoor recreation including hunting, fishing, and hiking.
Strong local educational framework anchored by Northwest College and dedicated public school districts.
Welcoming small-town community atmosphere with active local events and low traffic congestion.
Drawbacks
Limited local public transit options necessitate high car dependency for daily needs.
Geographic isolation means specialized shopping, major airports, and advanced medical centers require driving to larger cities.
Winter weather brings harsh freezing temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall that can impact travel.
Limited high-paying corporate job sectors within city limits compared to larger metropolitan economies.
Housing inventory can occasionally be constrained for prospective buyers and renters.
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Powell
#90Wyoming, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
294/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
78
Business
67
New York City
#584New York, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/100
Walkability
89.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
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