If you are attending Columbia, count on their subsidized housing. For $700~$850, you will have a pretty decent Columbia owned apartment near campus, with cheap utilities (heat, internet, cable etc.). Last time I checked, they owned 168 (!!!) apartment building (yes, buildings, not units) that are available for rent to faculty, grad students, staff members. My adviser has 4 kids, and rents a 3 bedroom apartment overlooking Morningside park for $1800/month, which is 25% of the usual rent for that size and location ...
On the other hand, NYU stipend is very miserable and you can't survive without a second income. So do your math ...
