Cost of Living in Suffolk County, New York
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Suffolk County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Suffolk County ranks #3,128 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 1%)
Sourced county brief
Suffolk County Median Gross Rent Reaches $2,255 Per Month
The median gross rent in Suffolk County is $2,255 per month, which is $1,087 higher than the New York unweighted county mean of $1,168. The median home value in the county is $578,400, more than double the state unweighted county mean of $281,200. The official B25071 Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (GRAPI) is 34.5%, representing a 4.7 percentage point difference from the state unweighted county mean of 29.8%. Selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units are a median of $2,584, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $1,352. The median renter-household income in Suffolk County is $72,488. This report utilizes data from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey to provide a statistical overview of local housing costs. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Suffolk County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 34.5% of renter household income in Suffolk County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $2,255 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $2,584. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $90,200 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The New York unweighted mean of county median rents is $1,168 per month. Suffolk County's $2,255 median is 93.0% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Suffolk County
Rent Burden
20.7%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$3,049
per month
Owner Cost Burden
23.7%
of gross income
The median home in Suffolk County may be a stretch
Median home value is $578,400. Estimated monthly cost: $4,618 vs. your max of $3,049.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Suffolk County, New York?
What is the median rent in Suffolk County?
Is Suffolk County affordable?
How does Suffolk County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Suffolk County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Suffolk County, New York? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Suffolk County
Whether you're buying in Suffolk County, New York, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.