New York · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Suffolk County, NY

Prices around Suffolk County, NY run 12.6% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $130,686 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $2,747 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $109,880 a year.

Suffolk County, NY at a glance

Median household income

$130,686$10,891 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$2,747HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)112.6+12.6% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity29.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential NY
Population1,530,146Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Suffolk County, NY?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$2,747Monthly market rent
Share of gross income25.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$109,880To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$3,267At 30% of $130,686
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Suffolk County, NY? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Nassau-Suffolk, NY HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Suffolk County, NY, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,992$23,904$79,68018.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$2,379$28,548$95,16021.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$2,747$32,964$109,88025.2%
3-Bedroom Home$3,563$42,756$142,52032.7%
4-Bedroom Home$3,768$45,216$150,72034.6%

Rent in Suffolk County, NY, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Suffolk County, NY

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $130,686 a year ($10,891 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$5,445/moRent ($2,747 2-BR), utilities (~$265/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$3,267/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$2,178/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $130,686 leaves after New York taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and New York tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$130,686
$50,000$265,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$130,686
Net 72%
Fed 15%
NY 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$93,657After all taxes
Monthly deposit$7,805Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$3,602Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate28.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$20,099 / yr
New York state income tax$6,933 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$9,997 / yr

Living in Suffolk County, NY: common questions

What is the median household income in Suffolk County, NY?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Suffolk County, NY is $130,686 per year (approximately $10,891 per month).

What is the average rent in Suffolk County, NY?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,992 for a studio, $2,379 for one bedroom, $2,747 for two, $3,563 for three and $3,768 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Suffolk County, NY expensive to live in?

Prices there run 12.6% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 112.6, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Suffolk County, NY?

To keep a $2,747 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $109,880 a year, or $9,157 a month. That is 84% of what the typical household in Suffolk County, NY earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Suffolk County, NY?

On the local median income of $130,686 ($10,891 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $5,445 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $3,267 for everything else and $2,178 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $2,747 takes 50% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Suffolk County, NY?

Homes in New York paid 29.5¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $265. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.