NYC Artist Earns Six Figures, But High Costs Still a Grind

Courtney Kinnare's art career has taken off since moving from LA, but the expenses of living in one of the world's priciest cities take a toll.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 3:55am

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Courtney Kinnare, a 29-year-old artist, took a big risk by quitting her job in LA, becoming a full-time artist, and moving to New York City in 2021. While her income has more than doubled to over $100,000 a year, the high costs of living in NYC, including double rent for her apartment and studio, make it a constant financial grind. Kinnare is part of a growing number of creatives struggling to afford life in the city, as housing, groceries, and other costs soar.

Why it matters

New York City has long been a hub for the arts, but the city's failure to build enough new housing has driven up rents and home prices, making it increasingly difficult for artists and other creative professionals to afford to live and work there. The new mayor has pledged to make the city more affordable for the arts, but the trend of artists leaving the city during the pandemic continues.

The details

When Kinnare first moved to NYC, she spent $2,000 a month on rent for a two-bedroom apartment that also served as her art studio. She later moved in with roommates and rented a separate studio space, now spending $1,000 on her share of a $2,600 loft and another $1,700 on her studio. Despite her income exceeding $100,000 last year, largely due to the success of a $45 purse hook she designed, budgeting is still a constant challenge with her variable income. Kinnare sees the high costs as an investment in her career, as the art scene in NYC has provided more exposure and opportunities than she experienced in LA.

  • Kinnare moved to NYC from LA in 2021.
  • Her income exceeded $100,000 last year.

The players

Courtney Kinnare

A 29-year-old artist who moved from LA to NYC in 2021, becoming a full-time artist and seeing her income more than double to over $100,000 a year.

Zohran Mamdani

The new mayor of New York City, who has pledged to make the city more affordable for artists and the arts.

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What they’re saying

“I just took the leap. I was just like, if I go for it, I have no choice but to make it work out.”

— Courtney Kinnare (businessinsider.com)

“Sometimes you blink your eyes and spend $100, and you're like, what just happened? That's taken a lot of self-control to be able to find activities and things to do that don't require spending money.”

— Courtney Kinnare (businessinsider.com)

What’s next

The new mayor has promised to make the city more affordable for artists, but it remains to be seen what specific policies his administration will implement to address the high costs of living and working in New York City.

The takeaway

Kinnare's story highlights the challenges facing artists and other creative professionals in one of the most expensive cities in the world, as the costs of necessities like housing and studio space make it a constant financial grind even for those earning six-figure incomes. The exodus of artists from New York during the pandemic underscores the need for affordable solutions to keep the city's vibrant arts and culture scene alive.