The NYT lives in NY City. They probably do need this much and don't think it's a lot.
Many people who live in NYC do not require alot of money to live. Some actually can get by easier than those in many other parts of the country.
The reasons for this are
A) Most people do not live in Manhattan. They live in Brooklyn. Queens, SI or the Bronx. Alot in Jersey as well. Many apartments are rent controlled or rent stabilized. That means one person can be paying a fraction of the rent as his neighbor. Some who have been in the same apartment for many years may be paying 40% of market value.
B) You do not need a car in the 5 boroughs. A monthly metro card for the subway or bus is $74 a month.
C) There are alot of free or inexpensive activities to attend. Museums, Central Park, Television studios, the NYSE etc etc.
D) Many outlet stores nearby where clothes and household items can be of purchased reasonably. Alot of sales in major department stores especially in January.
And what I see as the biggest factor is the salary one can earn in NYC as opposed the most of the country.
I don't have any stats but in my experiences NY'ers earn alot more in many fields than other cities.
The New York Times is referring to those who own coops in Midtown which they paid 750k in addition to a 1000 a month maintenance fee, own a car that costs them 300 a month just to park and have expensive habits.
That lifestyle requires 200k a year at least.