Cost of Living in Suffolk County, New York

$2,190/mo

Median Monthly Rent

$539,500

Median Home Value

93% above state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent

$2,190/mo

93% above state average

Median Home Value

$539,500

91% above national

Rent-to-Income Ratio

34.0%

% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating

Unaffordable

Rent over 50% of income

How Suffolk County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Suffolk County$2,190/mo

New York Average$1,133/mo

National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$2,190/mo

Median Gross Rent

$539,500

Median Home Value

$2,549/mo

Monthly Owner Cost

34.0%

Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Suffolk County, New York

Suffolk: High earners, high housing costs

Suffolk County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.5% exceeds the national average despite a median household income of $128,329—nearly 72% above the U.S. median. At $2,190 per month, median rent reflects Long Island's regional market dynamics, where high incomes coexist with premium housing costs.

Least affordable county in New York

Suffolk County has the highest rent-to-income ratio in our dataset at 20.5%, significantly above New York's 17.6% state average. Despite earning the most of any county studied here, residents allocate substantially more income to housing, underscoring Long Island's affordability crisis.

Drastically pricier than upstate peers

Suffolk County's $2,190 median rent towers over upstate comparables like Seneca ($925), Steuben ($878), and Tioga ($914)—some paying 2.5 times less. Even Ulster County, Westchester's southern neighbor, charges only $1,335 rent, making Suffolk's prices distinctly unaffordable by regional standards.

Where income meets expensive housing

Median rent reaches $2,190 monthly while homeownership costs $2,549, consuming 20.5% and 23.7% of household income respectively. With a median home value of $539,500, homeownership requires exceptional earning power—accessible only to the county's well-compensated professionals.

Suffolk demands serious earning power

Suffolk County is best suited for high-income households earning $120,000+ annually; anyone else will struggle with its 20.5% rent-to-income burden. If you're considering relocation away from Suffolk, upstate counties like Steuben offer identical or better quality of life while cutting housing costs by 65–75%.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Suffolk County

Your Annual Household Income

Rent Burden

20.5%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$2,994

per month

Owner Cost Burden

23.8%

of gross income

The median home in Suffolk County may be a stretch

Median home value is $539,500. Estimated monthly cost: $4,307 vs. your max of $2,994.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio20.5%

Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Suffolk County, New York?

Suffolk County, New York has a median monthly rent of $2,190/mo and a median home value of $539,500. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 34.0% of median household income.

What is the median rent in Suffolk County?

The median gross rent in Suffolk County is $2,190/mo. This is 93% above state average for New York.

Is Suffolk County affordable?

Suffolk County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 34.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.

How does Suffolk County's rent compare to the state average?

Suffolk County's median rent of $2,190/mo is 93% above state average of $1,133/mo for New York.

What is the median home value in Suffolk County?

The median home value in Suffolk County, New York is $539,500. This is 91% above the national median home value of $281,900.