New York City Mayor Mamdani has released the city's first True Cost of Living measure, a measure that has been stalled for years by the previous mayor. The measure is a step towards identifying the financial pressures families face, with a report revealing that 62% of New Yorkers cannot make ends meet without going into debt, relying on public benefits or avoiding basic necessities. The median annual true cost of living is $159,000, compared to the federal poverty level of $33,000 for a family of four. Jones Austin, CEO of the Racial Justice Commission that advanced the measure, calls for an honest conversation about what it takes to live with economic security. Other cities and states should follow suit and develop their own measures.