NYC area isn't like SF. You can go 40 minutes outside of SF and it's still expensive.

It all depends where you want to live in NYC. Manhattan you'll want to make at least 150k to live alone. If you move outside then you have a lot more options but still be able to commute into the city easily.

I lived in Manhattan for 7 years and SF area for 6. I now live outside of Denver and its by far the best move of my life.