A
7%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
13%
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 West Seneca New York National
Cost of living93117100
Goods & Services94108100
Groceries97102100
Health care101103100
Housing87145100
Transportation95105100
Utilities94100100

An Overview of Cost of Living in West Seneca, NY

Knowing the cost of living in West Seneca allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in West Seneca stands at 93, marking it 7% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in West Seneca is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is West Seneca Affordable?

Is West Seneca affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in West Seneca, the median home price is 14.8% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 7.8% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with West Seneca boasting a median household income of $66,362, 20% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in West Seneca?

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In West Seneca, healthcare costs are 0.9% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in West Seneca starts at 4% and the income tax rates start at 4%.

Where is the Data From?

The West Seneca cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in West Seneca is 21% lower than the New York average
  • The cost of living in West Seneca is 7% lower than the national average
  • West Seneca housing is 13% lower 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 West Seneca

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Compare West Seneca, 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$76,574$6,381$1,787$2,297
      Renters$40,612$3,384$948$1,218
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in West Seneca, NY, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for West Seneca homeowners, is $76,574. This would allow for a maximum of $1,787 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $40,612 which would result in a maximum of $948 to be spent on rental 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 West Seneca National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.65$24.2610.8%
      Beauty Salon $53.07$45.5616.5%
      Toothpaste $3.61$3.702.5%
      Shampoo $1.30$1.281.8%
      Movie $12.76$12.135.2%
      Bowling $14.60$18.0018.9%

      Groceries

      Item West Seneca National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.16$5.845.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.4%
      Milk $4.67$4.670.0%
      Potatoes $5.26$4.936.5%
      Pizza $10.99$12.099.1%
      Beer $10.47$10.410.6%

      Health Care

      Item West Seneca National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $75.93$125.6839.6%
      Doctor $103.92$135.7823.5%
      Dentist $149.67$113.2932.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.42$10.652.2%
      Lipitor $464.18$468.600.9%

      Housing

      Item West Seneca National avg. Difference
      Home Price $157,400.00$184,700.0014.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,421.64$2,346.693.2%
      Apartment Rent $875.00$949.007.8%

      Transportation

      Item West Seneca National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.46$3.460.1%
      Tire Balancing $48.79$59.9218.6%

      Utilities

      Item West Seneca National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $173.44$193.9910.6%
      Phone $195.54$192.251.7%
      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.
      Sloan, NY3,5478316.8%
      Tonawanda city, NY14,9918416.5%
      Lackawanna, NY17,7518515.5%
      Buffalo, NY255,8058614.5%
      Blasdell, NY2,6598613.9%
      West Seneca, NY45,272937.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hilo, HI45,24815554.9%
      Oro Valley, AZ45,30312424.3%
      Herriman, UT45,21113232.3%
      Rockwall, TX45,16812221.8%
      Arlington, MA45,37917878.3%
      West Seneca, NY45,272937.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.