F
39%
Overall NAT. AVG.
13%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
100%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Centereach New York National
Cost of living139117100
Goods & Services113108100
Groceries105102100
Health care110103100
Housing200145100
Transportation102105100
Utilities131100100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Centereach, NY

The cost of living in Centereach affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Centereach is 139, which is 39% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Centereach may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Centereach falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs significantly influence the Centereach cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 99.8%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Recurring goods and services expenses like haircuts, toothpaste, gym memberships and movie nights are a big part of your spending and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Centereach, these items will cost you 12.9% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.

Is Centereach Affordable?

Is Centereach an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Centereach is 95% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 111.1% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Centereach has a median household income of $109,247, which is 97.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Centereach?

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Centereach, the transportation index is 1.8% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Centereach, the general sales tax rate starts at 4%, and income tax rates begin at 4%.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Centereach, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Centereach is 19% higher than the New York average
  • The cost of living in Centereach is 39% higher than the national average
  • Centereach housing is 100% higher than the national average
  • New York general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • New York state income tax is 77% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Centereach

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Compare Centereach, NY Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$120,923$10,077$2,821$3,628
      Renters$55,469$4,622$1,294$1,664
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Centereach is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Centereach has a median income of about $120,923 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,821 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $55,469. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,294 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      New York Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      New York 4% 8.875%

      New York Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      New York 4% 10.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Centereach National avg. Difference
      Haircut $32.33$24.2633.3%
      Beauty Salon $48.56$45.566.6%
      Toothpaste $3.66$3.701.1%
      Shampoo $1.50$1.2817.4%
      Movie $13.76$12.1313.4%
      Bowling $19.63$18.009.0%

      Groceries

      Item Centereach National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.34$5.848.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.4%
      Milk $4.73$4.671.2%
      Potatoes $5.03$4.931.9%
      Pizza $10.07$12.0916.7%
      Beer $10.62$10.412.0%

      Health Care

      Item Centereach National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $140.10$125.6811.5%
      Doctor $143.23$135.785.5%
      Dentist $123.00$113.298.6%
      Ibuprofen $11.00$10.653.3%
      Lipitor $401.34$468.6014.4%

      Housing

      Item Centereach National avg. Difference
      Home Price $360,200.00$184,700.0095.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,857.27$2,346.6920.9%
      Apartment Rent $2,003.00$949.00111.1%

      Transportation

      Item Centereach National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.33$3.463.7%
      Tire Balancing $57.68$59.923.7%

      Utilities

      Item Centereach National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $281.67$193.9945.2%
      Phone $185.16$192.253.7%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Stony Brook University, NY8,57411212.4%
      Mastic Beach, NY15,61012120.8%
      Middle Island, NY11,03012424.2%
      Mastic, NY15,06812525.2%
      Ridge, NY13,53712726.5%
      Centereach, NY31,10013938.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Saratoga, CA31,084341240.8%
      Lakeside, FL31,058963.7%
      Hopkinsville, KY31,0528712.5%
      Princeton, NJ31,16119190.8%
      Needham, MA31,177201101.0%
      Centereach, NY31,10013938.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.