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Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers Salary in New York: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers salary really buy you in New York?

New York is 7.6% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$35,050
Median annual (2025)
-7.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$32,574
COL-adjusted (RPP=107.6)

New York Cost of Living Index

New York's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 107.6, meaning prices are 7.6% higher the national average. A Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers earning $35,050 in New York has the equivalent purchasing power of $32,574 in an average-cost US state.

NY: 107.6
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for New York's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $33,330 $30,975 $-2,354
25th Percentile (P25) $34,020 $31,617 $-2,402
Median (P50) $35,050 $32,574 $-2,475
75th Percentile (P75) $37,330 $34,693 $-2,636
90th Percentile (P90) $45,690 $42,462 $-3,227
Key Insight

While $35,050 sounds high, New York's elevated cost of living erases 7% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $32,574. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

New York Is a High-Cost State

RPP 107.6

New York's RPP of 107.6 puts it 7.6% above the national baseline cost of living. A Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-7.1%

After applying New York's RPP, the $35,050 median salary translates to $32,574 in real terms — a 7.1% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#38 / 51

New York's rank of #38 of 51 states means real purchasing power for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$42,243
RPP 88.7
2. Montana
$40,143
RPP 90.3
$38,741
RPP 89.8
$38,678
RPP 92.3
5. Iowa
$38,518
RPP 88.4
$38,464
RPP 97.7
7. Idaho
$38,278
RPP 91.8
8. Utah
$37,767
RPP 94.5
$37,580
RPP 93.4
10. Nevada
$37,562
RPP 96.4

New York ranks #38 out of 51 states for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers take-home pay in New York after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in New York after cost of living?

A Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in New York earns a median salary of $35,050 per year. After adjusting for New York's cost of living (RPP=107.6), the real purchasing power is $32,574 — a -7.1% difference.

Is New York expensive to live in?

New York's cost of living is 7.6% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for New York is 107.6 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in New York: $35,050 x (100 / 107.6) = $32,574. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in New York offset the salary?

Partially — a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers's nominal salary of $35,050 in New York has 7.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $32,574. However, New York may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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