F
184%
Overall NAT. AVG.
20%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
574%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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 Scarsdale New York National
Cost of living284118100
Goods & Services120108100
Groceries108102100
Health care130111100
Housing674144100
Transportation100107100
Utilities129101100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Scarsdale, NY

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Scarsdale is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Scarsdale is 284, which is 184% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Scarsdale is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Scarsdale falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

When it comes to the cost of living in Scarsdale, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 573.9% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, Scarsdale goods and services are 19.6% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

Is Scarsdale Affordable?

Is Scarsdale affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Scarsdale, for instance, where the median home price falls 708.4% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 260% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Scarsdale flaunting a median household income of $378,602, 365.5% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Scarsdale?

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Scarsdale, the transportation index is 0.3% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Scarsdale, the healthcare costs are 29.7% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Scarsdale, 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.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Scarsdale is 141% higher than the New York average
  • The cost of living in Scarsdale is 184% higher than the national average
  • Scarsdale housing is 574% 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 Scarsdale

See all the best places to live around Scarsdale

Compare Scarsdale, 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$373,092$31,091$8,705$11,194
      Renters$269,060$22,422$6,278$8,073
      The affordability of the housing market in Scarsdale, NY as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Scarsdale homeowners, the median income is $373,092. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $8,705 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $269,060. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $6,278 for their rent related monthly costs.

      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 Scarsdale National avg. Difference
      Haircut $35.58$27.6228.8%
      Beauty Salon $77.98$51.1152.6%
      Toothpaste $3.98$4.092.8%
      Shampoo $1.75$1.5413.5%
      Movie $18.17$12.8841.1%
      Yoga $32.45$19.6665.0%

      Groceries

      Item Scarsdale National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.15$7.707.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.54$1.667.4%
      Milk $5.20$4.739.9%
      Potatoes $5.64$5.267.3%
      Pizza $13.65$12.767.0%
      Beer $10.84$10.552.8%

      Health Care

      Item Scarsdale National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $173.75$140.0624.1%
      Doctor $292.23$153.8290.0%
      Dentist $142.76$123.1515.9%
      Ibuprofen $12.11$11.733.2%
      Lipitor $21.15$23.6110.4%

      Housing

      Item Scarsdale National avg. Difference
      Home Price $2,640,310.00$326,622.00708.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $5,693.50$2,480.25129.6%
      Apartment Rent $5,198.00$1,444.00260.0%

      Transportation

      Item Scarsdale National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.03$3.060.8%
      Tire Balancing $65.87$65.211.0%

      Utilities

      Item Scarsdale National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $319.28$220.1245.0%
      Phone $201.32$195.712.9%
      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.
      Greenville CDP (Greene County), NY6161098.7%
      Mount Ivy, NY7,67512423.7%
      Haverstraw, NY12,43112525.0%
      West Haverstraw, NY10,53912525.0%
      Spring Valley, NY33,20212928.8%
      Scarsdale, NY18,390284183.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cary, IL18,37211515.0%
      Elizabeth City, NC18,364954.6%
      Cutlerville, MI18,417982.2%
      Radford, VA18,418964.4%
      Amsterdam, NY18,359918.9%
      Scarsdale, NY18,390284183.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.