Friends Fans often debate how the characters were able to afford such spacious apartments in New York City in the 1990s, but the storyline was more realistic than people might think.
While it may seem impossible that Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston), Monica Geller (Courteney Cox), Phoebe Buffay-Hannigan (Lisa Kudrow), Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc), Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), and Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) could have afforded their New York apartments given their professions and lifestyles, a closer look offers some plausible explanations.
Newsweek broke down the approximate salaries each character would have earned in the 1990s, typical rental prices in Greenwich Village at the time, and details from the show that made their living situations more feasible.
The life situation of each character
Monica and Rachel’s apartment
Monica’s large apartment in Greenwich Village was affordable thanks to the rent-controlled lease she inherited from her grandmother, which kept the rent “ridiculously low.” In the 1990s, rent-controlled apartments in the Village could cost between $300 and $500 a month, allowing Monica and Rachel to live there despite their modest incomes. By splitting the rent, the financial burden was manageable, even when Rachel was working a low-paid waitress or was unemployed.
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Chandler and Joey’s Apartment
Chandler and Joey lived in a small apartment across the street from Monica and Rachel. Chandler’s steady income as a corporate executive allowed him to cover most of their expenses, especially when Joey’s acting gigs were erratic. Chandler likely earned enough to comfortably pay their rent, and having Joey as a roommate helped keep costs down, although Chandler shouldered most of the financial burden.
Phoebe’s Apartment
Phoebe lived alone in an unusual apartment, getting by on her modest income as a massage therapist and part-time musician. Her rent was likely kept low by rent stabilization, which, while less stringent than rent control, made housing affordable in the 1990s. Phoebe’s frugal lifestyle allowed her to live comfortably on her modest income.
Ross’s Apartment
Ross’s more stable income made his living situation plausible. As a paleontologist earning $40,000 to $60,000, and then as a professor at New York University earning $50,000 to $75,000, Ross could afford a more modest apartment. His rent was probably around $1,500 to $2,500 a month, which was manageable given his steady salary.
Salaries in the 1990s
Monica Geller (Chef):
- Beginner Chef: Monica probably made between $25,000 and $35,000 a year as a beginner chef.
- Later in the series: As a chef, his salary would have increased to $50,000 to $70,000 a year.
Rachel Green (Waitress and Fashion Buyer):
- Waitress: As a waitress, Rachel’s annual income would have been around $15,000 to $20,000, including tips.
- Fashion industry: Once she got into fashion, her salary ranged from $30,000 to $60,000 a year, depending on her role and experience.
Joey Tribbiani (soap opera actor):
- Actor in difficulty: At the start of the series, Joey was earning around $500 to $1,000 a day for small roles.
- Soap opera star: At his peak, as Dr. Drake Ramoray on Days of our livesJoey could have earned between $1,000 and $2,000 per episode, or potentially between $100,000 and $150,000 per year.
Chandler Bing (Director of Statistical Analysis):
- Company salary: Chandler’s corporate position likely paid him between $50,000 and $100,000 a year, depending on his promotions.
- Switch to advertising:Later in the series, Chandler moved into advertising, likely taking a pay cut at first, with entry-level salaries in the late 1990s ranging from $35,000 to $50,000 per year. As he gained experience and advanced, his salary could have risen to $60,000 to $80,000 or more, depending on his role and performance.
Phoebe Buffay (Massage Therapist):
- Massage therapist: As a self-employed massage therapist, Phoebe’s annual income likely ranged from $25,000 to $40,000, depending on her clientele.
- Musician: Phoebe, who worked as a musician at Central Perk and local venues, probably earned $50 to $100 per performance. Over the course of a year, that could have added a few thousand dollars to her income.
Rental Prices in Greenwich Village
In the 1990s, Greenwich Village was already an expensive neighborhood, but rent control and stabilization helped residents like Monica and Phoebe afford their housing.
- Studios:Market-rate studios cost between $1,000 and $1,500 per month.
- One bedroom apartments:Between $1,500 and $2,500 per month, depending on location.
- Two bedroom apartments:The market price for a two-bedroom apartment like Monica’s was $2,500 to $3,500 a month, but her rent-controlled unit was much cheaper, between $300 and $500.
- Control and stabilization of rents: This helped keep prices lower than market prices, which is how Monica was able to afford such a large apartment.
Could they really afford it?
Although the characters’ living conditions seem unrealistic, explanations such as rent control, cost-sharing with roommates, and Chandler’s high salary make their homes plausible for 1990s New York, despite the Village’s rising rents.
