F
39%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
109%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Islip New York National
Cost of living139121100
Groceries103106100
Health care110110100
Housing209144100
Transportation115113100
Utilities112112100
Lifestyle & Entertainment107111100
Household Items108106100
Education & Childcare116118100
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Cost of Living in Islip, NY

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Islip? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Islip stands at 139, making it 39% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Islip may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Islip falls within this bracket.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Islip cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 109.2% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Islip Affordable?

Is Islip an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Islip, the median home price is 118.6% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 87.2% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Islip come in at $164,412, which is 102.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Islip?

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Islip, the utilities index registers at 11.5% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as 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 with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Islip, the groceries index is 3.3% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Islip cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Islip is 16% higher than the New York average
  • The cost of living in Islip is 39% higher than the national average
  • Islip housing is 109% higher than the national average
  • New York general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • New York state income tax is 54% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Islip

See all the best places to live around Islip

Compare Islip, NY Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Islip?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Islip?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Islip poll results

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$176,930$14,744$4,128$5,308
      Renters$78,705$6,559$1,836$2,361
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Islip, NY, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Islip have a median income of $176,930. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $4,128 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $78,705, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,836.

      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%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Stony Brook University, NY8,7751109.6%
      Ocean Beach, NY321109.6%
      Saltaire, NY261109.6%
      Middle Island, NY11,45412423.6%
      Wyandanch, NY11,92512525.1%
      Islip, NY17,55913939.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      East Cleveland, OH17,5638020.2%
      Wayne, MI17,5668712.7%
      Poplar Bluff, MO17,5708614.1%
      Springfield, TN17,576945.9%
      Massapequa Park, NY17,53715656.3%
      Islip, NY17,55913939.5%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.