<p>Assuming every other expense is equal (which it's not, food/entertainment/whatever will be lower outside NYC)</p>
<p>NEW YORK CITY
Rent: $2500/month (as you said)
Transport: ~$150/month for MetroCard
NYC Tax: $304/month
Cable: $100/month
Monthly expense outlay: ~$3154/month+personal expenses</p>
<p>FORT LEE
Rent: $1600/month
Transport: ~$1000/month for car
NYC Tax: 0
Cable: $40
Monthly Expense Outlay: $2640/month+personal expenses. </p>
<p>It's definitely cheaper to live outside NYC even if one pays for the outrageously expensive parking passes, insurance, registration, titles, whatever. The $1000 is a very high estimate btw.</p>
<p>Assuming you paid cash for a car:</p>
<p>$400/month for parking
~$100/month for insurance
~$150/month for gas
~$50 for licensing, fees, whatever</p>
<p>That's $700.</p>