TikTok influencers struggle with financial challenges in New York City despite six-figure incomes, sparking an internet debate.
High-earning influencers face rental challenges in NYC
Many NYC-based TikTok influencers earn six-figure incomes yet struggle to secure apartments. Despite their financial success, landlords hesitate to approve their leases.
Kelsey Kotzur, a fashion influencer with over 144,000 followers, moved to New York in 2015. She built a glamorous online persona, showcasing the city’s beauty.
While, fans admired her lifestyle, often commenting on their desire to move to NYC.
Rising rent forces influencers out of the city
In July, Kotzur’s rent for her two-bedroom Greenpoint apartment increased from $3,900 to $5,485.
She returned to her hometown of Plattsburgh, NY after she was unable to afford the hike.
“I am currently trying to get approved for an apartment [in NYC], but it’s nearly impossible,” Kotzur told The Post
Many creatives and gig workers face the same issue.
A StreetEasy report found that over one-third of available apartments in Q2 2023 became vacant after tenants were priced out.
Earlier this year, The Post reported that a landlord evicted an entire Manhattan building filled with longtime artists.
Influencers struggle to prove financial stability despite high incomes
Kotzur expects to earn $250,000 this year. She partners with brands like Skims and Delta Airlines, yet securing a lease remains difficult.
Landlords demand two years’ worth of paystubs or require a guarantor.
“It’s hard to get these landlords, who are from an older generation, to understand what I’m doing. This is a full-time job,” she said.
Despite making 40 times the rent, she still faces rejections.
Kotzur’s absence from NYC impacts her career. “I am missing out on a ton of opportunities while I’m away from the city,” she said.
She frequently commutes six hours to NYC, squeezing in meetings and content creation. “Being in New York is where all of my jobs come from,” she added.
The gig economy grows, but renting remains difficult
Freelance and gig work are expanding rapidly. A 2022 TeamStage report found that 36% of U.S. workers—about 57.3 million people—participate in the gig economy. By 2027, over 50% are expected to join.
Despite this growth, landlords remain skeptical of gig-based income.
Another TikTok influencer fights to secure a lease
Marissa Meizz, 25, has 471.7K TikTok followers. She gained fame in 2021 when strangers unknowingly exposed her friends for excluding her from a party. She turned the moment into a movement, launching No More Lonely Friends.
“If I wasn’t living in New York, I don’t think my content would have become what it is today,” she said.
Meizz has lived in shared apartments in the East Village and Brooklyn, paying about $1,000 per month.
Now, she is earning around $100,000 and hoping to rent her own place.
Landlords reject influencers, demanding excessive proof of income
Despite her stable income, Meizz struggled to convince landlords. “It was just so hard to get someone to trust me,” she said.
She provided invoices, proof of income, and a cover letter but was still denied. “They said I didn’t have enough proof and needed a guarantor,” she explained.
Meizz paid an additional $1,500 for a third-party guarantor to secure an apartment.
After nearly two months of searching, she finally signed a lease for a $2,500-a-month Bushwick apartment in November.
NYC’s rental market remains a challenge for influencers
The NYC rental market is highly competitive. Many influencers, despite their success, struggle to meet landlords’ strict requirements. For creators like Kotzur and Meizz, living in NYC isn’t just a preference—it’s essential for their careers.
However, without traditional employment, securing a home in the city remains an uphill battle.