Back in college. My point exactly.
15 US$ * 50h/week * 48weeks/year = 36,000 U.S. dollars, I had a single apartment at 1050$ per month and a car while making 38k so I know it's reasonable to make it like that. Now having a wife and kids on that is not going to happen in that area but NY is more a place for the young or the rich.
Edit: 36k = 28k take home so about a grand a month after rent.
PS: Trying to make it on 15$ an hour in NY, NY might seem stupid, but a good internship can be worth it.
If you work between lower manhattan and 33rd st, you can live in Jersey City and rent a huge 3 bedroom for $1500 ($500 split 3 ways). Commute time is 15-25 minutes.