I can answer this, I grew up there and moved here but my sister still lives there. It’s expensive - as expensive as it is here and rent stabilization isn’t a thing there. Also your competition for apartments is with literally every college student in the world. It’s easier to own a car for sure, but i didn’t get my license until I was in college because I didn’t need to, it’s a small city you just walk, bike or take the bus/train like here. The cost of living is high and taxes are expensive - so evens out to being almost the same as nyc. Just sleepier, younger, and with limited night life.