Zohran Mamdani Has Ambitious Plans. How Much Will They Cost?

Zohran Mamdani’s meteoric rise to become the mayor-elect of New York City was fueled by his promise to make the city more affordable. He highlighted four signature policy proposals: universal child care, free buses, city-owned grocery stores and a rent freeze on rent-stabilized apartments.

These ideas have excited New Yorkers who are worried about the soaring cost of living. But the plans could be difficult to implement.

He will have to secure support from critical stakeholders, find funding to pay for the plans and hire the right staff members to make sure they are successful.

Annual cost estimates Universal child care $6 billion 2. Fast and free buses Up to $800 million One square equals $50 million 3. Five city-owned grocery stores $60 million 4. Freeze rents on rent-stabilized apartments No direct cost to the city budget 1. Universal child care $6 billion One square equals $50 million 2. Fast and free buses Up to $800 million 3. Five city-owned grocery stores $60 million 4. Freeze rents on rent-stabilized apartments No direct cost to the city budget

Free child care for every child under the age of 5 is the most ambitious idea — and the most expensive.

All together, the policies could cost nearly $7 billion every year. If all of them were implemented, the cost would be higher than the Police Department’s budget.

Mamdani’s signature proposals Police Department’s 2026 budget An estimated $7 billion $6.3 billion Mamdani’s signature proposals Police Department’s 2026 budget An estimated $7 billion $6.3 billion

But New York City has the largest budget of any city in the country at nearly $116 billion. Mr. Mamdani has argued that there is room within it to spend more on his priorities.

Mamdani’s signature proposals New York City’s 2026 budget $115.9 billion An estimated $7 billion Department of Education $35 billion Department of Social Services $12 billion Pension contributions $1