F
44%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
126%
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 Setauket-East Setauket New York National
Cost of living144121100
Groceries104106100
Health care107110100
Housing226144100
Transportation111113100
Utilities112112100
Lifestyle & Entertainment113111100
Household Items105106100
Education & Childcare120118100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Setauket-East Setauket, NY

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Setauket-East Setauket? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Setauket-East Setauket stands at 144, making it 44% 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 prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Setauket-East Setauket 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, Setauket-East Setauket falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Setauket-East Setauket, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 125.6% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Is Setauket-East Setauket Affordable?

Wondering if Setauket-East Setauket is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Setauket-East Setauket, for example, the median home price is 149% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 71.1% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Setauket-East Setauket boasting a median household income of $196,903, which is 142.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Setauket-East Setauket?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Setauket-East Setauket, healthcare costs are 7.3% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Setauket-East Setauket, the groceries index is 4.2% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Setauket-East Setauket, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 4%, and income tax rates kick off at 4%.

Where is the Data From?

The Setauket-East Setauket 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 Setauket-East Setauket is 20% higher than the New York average
  • The cost of living in Setauket-East Setauket is 44% higher than the national average
  • Setauket-East Setauket housing is 126% 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 Setauket-East Setauket

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Compare Setauket-East Setauket, NY Cost of Living

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      Cost of living index
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      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$201,324$16,777$4,697$6,040
      Renters$92,772$7,731$2,165$2,783
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Setauket-East Setauket, NY, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Setauket-East Setauket, the median monthly income is $201,324 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $4,697 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $92,772, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $2,165 on monthly rental expenses.

      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%
      Mastic Beach, NY16,07612120.8%
      Middle Island, NY11,45412423.6%
      Wyandanch, NY11,92512525.1%
      Mastic, NY15,62412525.0%
      Setauket-East Setauket, NY14,61414444.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Phillipsburg, NJ14,613954.6%
      Viera West, FL14,60913333.1%
      Swansea, IL14,604991.2%
      Anna, TX14,62511111.1%
      Willowick, OH14,6029010.2%
      Setauket-East Setauket, NY14,61414444.4%
      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.