Could the Sex and the City Ladies Survive in New York City 2025?  

The Sex and the City Lifestyle 2025

With season three of And Just Like That set to premiere this Thursday, a new study has revealed whether the main Sex and the City characters would actually be able to afford their extravagant lifestyles in 2025.

The research team at Chicks Gold collected data from Expatistan and Numbeo to determine how much each character’s lifestyle would cost in 2025, including the price of dining out, going out for cocktails, and cab fees in New York. 

Using data from Glassdoor, this figure was measured against how much Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte would earn to determine whether the characters’ expensive Sex and the City lifestyles would hold up today.  

Carrie Bradshaw  

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Up first is Carrie Bradshaw, the protagonist of the hit series. The study found that Carrie’s New York lifestyle would cost around $81,798 (£61,014) a year in 2025. The character’s main expenses included dining out roughly three times a week, which would now cost Carrie around $14,430 (£10,764) a year.  

Smoking was also a significant expense, with the study finding that Carrie would now spend around $1,872 (£1,397) a year on cigarettes alone. Carrie’s lifestyle cost also included the average yearly rent for a studio apartment in New York, which would now cost her around $50,988 (£38,037) a year in 2025.  

According to data from Glassdoor, Carrie’s salary in 2025 is likely not enough to cover her extravagant lifestyle. As a weekly columnist, the character would earn an average of $84,000 (£62,649) annually, leaving her with only $2,202 or £1,635 left over to cover the cost of groceries, utility bills, and other additional fees for the year.  

On top of this, Carrie’s expensive taste in fashion was not included in the character’s overall lifestyle cost. According to the study, Carrie’s lifestyle in 1998 would’ve cost her $38,568.99 (£28,772) while on a salary of around $49,373.88 (£36,831). In season four of the show, it was revealed that the character spent $40,000 on shoes alone, meaning that it’s unlikely that Carrie’s luxury wardrobe would be financially sustainable both today and in 1998. 

Miranda Hobbes 

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As a partner at a New York law firm, Miranda would earn an average salary of at least $171,000 (£127,559) a year in 2025, but her social lifestyle would set her back by $81,866 (£61,069).

The study found that getting coffee with friends roughly five times a week would cost Miranda $1,820 (£1,357) a year. Fitness is also essential to Miranda’s lifestyle, especially when it comes to marathon training, costing her $1,959.72 (£1,461.69) for a yearly gym membership in New York.  

In 1998, Miranda’s lifestyle would’ve cost her $38,438.18 (£28,669.80) on a salary of around $89,818.45 (£66,992.70). According to the study, the character would have $97,819.84 or £66,490 to spare in 2025. Luxury fashion isn’t a large part of Miranda’s life, so she would be able to afford her busy lifestyle comfortably.  

Samantha Jones 

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As a public relations professional, Samantha would earn an average salary of $90,000 (£67,128) in 2025, but her expensive lifestyle would also cost her around $81,866 (£61,069). Going out for cocktails roughly three times a week would ultimately cost Samantha $6,864 (£5,120) a year today; buying a bottle of wine at least twice a week would also add up to $2,080 (£1,551) a year.  

In 1998, Samantha’s lifestyle would’ve cost her $38,438.18 (£28,669.80) on a salary of around $55,151.68 (£41,133) leaving her with $16,713.50 or £12,433.20 left over. Today, the character’s life would only leave her with $8,134 or £6,059 spare. Samantha owns a closet full of designer clothes and enjoys spending a lot of money on her appearance throughout the show, meaning that her lifestyle would be a stretch to afford today and in 1998.  

Charlotte York

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Known as the Park Avenue Princess of the show, Charlotte’s lifestyle in 2025 would cost her around $79,926 (£59,610) a year. Going out for brunch at least twice a week would ultimately cost Charlotte $1,976 a year (£1,474), and getting a cab at least once a day would amount to $1,768 (£1,319) annually.  

As an art dealer for a New York gallery, Charlotte would earn an average salary of $102,000 (£76,074) today, leaving her with $22,074 or £16,464 to spend on her expensive lifestyle. In 1998, Charlotte’s lifestyle would’ve cost her $37,640.34 (£28,073) on a salary of around $53,575.92 (£39,958), leaving her with $15,935.58 or £11,885 to spare.  

However, it’s known that Charlotte likes the best of the best and was often seen wearing Ralph Lauren and Dior, meaning that she likely wouldn’t be able to afford her lifestyle today or in 1998.  

Al Alof, the CEO of Chicks Gold, commented on the study:  “Almost 27 years after the show’s initial release, Sex and the City is still a beloved and celebrated series. In recent years, social media platforms, like TikTok, have only elevated the show’s pre-existing success. Clips of the series that have been uploaded to TikTok have received millions of likes on the app, introducing Sex and the City to an entirely new generation.  

“So much has changed in over two decades, but the rising cost of living in New York truly dates the series. Not only does this research demonstrate the huge inflation rates since 1998, but it also depicts the looming cost-of-living crisis across the U.S.  

“Even in the past year alone, prices have risen dramatically, with shoppers now also facing warnings over the rising cost of groceries. Expenses like dining out a few times a week can now add up to a staggering $14,430 a year, which is why restaurant culture and dining out in New York have quickly become a luxury that few can afford.  

“Due to the characters’ expensive taste in fashion and their active social lives, it would be a stretch for them to be able to afford their lifestyles today. However, even in 1998, it was unrealistic for the characters to be able to afford to live so extravagantly. Because of this, the show is virtually an escape from reality, which is likely why Sex and the City is still so popular today.”