About 20 years ago I had a business meeting in New York. I stayed at the Plaza. I received a discount on the room, but it still cost about $140/night. The regular rate was over $200. I missed the price discounts offered by the airlines so I decided to drive. Had I parked at the hotel where I was staying it would have cost $40/night......FOR MY CAR!!!! The people with whom I was meeting found a garage about 5 blocks away that I believe cost $27/night. Granted, it was Manhattan, but the garage where I parked had a monthly rate of about $600. No wonder so many people in New York don't own a car.
New York is a very expensive place to visit or live. I don't see how most blue collar people can afford to live in the city.