C+
3%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
7%
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 Brighton New York National
Cost of living103117100
Goods & Services102108100
Groceries98102100
Health care99103100
Housing107145100
Transportation108105100
Utilities92100100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Brighton, NY

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Brighton 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 Brighton is 103, which is 3% 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.

The cost of living in Brighton 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 Brighton Affordable?

Is Brighton 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 Brighton, the median home price is 5.2% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 12.4% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Brighton come in at $71,099, which is 28.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Brighton?

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.

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 Brighton, the transportation index is 7.5% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Brighton 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. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Brighton is 12% lower than the New York average
  • The cost of living in Brighton is 3% higher than the national average
  • Brighton housing is 7% 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 Brighton

See all the best places to live around Brighton

Compare Brighton, NY Cost of Living

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      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$108,665$9,055$2,535$3,260
      Renters$45,271$3,773$1,056$1,358
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Brighton, 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 Brighton have a median income of $108,665. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,535 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $45,271, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,056.

      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 Brighton National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.78$24.2610.4%
      Beauty Salon $44.58$45.562.2%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.4%
      Shampoo $1.70$1.2832.6%
      Movie $15.90$12.1331.0%
      Bowling $24.25$18.0034.7%

      Groceries

      Item Brighton National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.04$5.843.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.55$1.571.4%
      Milk $5.16$4.6710.5%
      Potatoes $5.21$4.935.7%
      Pizza $13.16$12.098.9%
      Beer $11.98$10.4115.1%

      Health Care

      Item Brighton National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $124.25$125.681.1%
      Doctor $154.18$135.7813.6%
      Dentist $124.68$113.2910.1%
      Ibuprofen $11.17$10.654.8%
      Lipitor $398.58$468.6014.9%

      Housing

      Item Brighton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $194,300.00$184,700.005.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $5,235.60$2,346.69123.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,067.00$949.0012.4%

      Transportation

      Item Brighton National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.58$3.463.6%
      Tire Balancing $59.33$59.921.0%

      Utilities

      Item Brighton National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $196.28$193.991.2%
      Phone $200.67$192.254.4%
      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.
      Rochester, NY206,3578911.2%
      East Rochester, NY6,530918.8%
      Caledonia, NY2,133928.1%
      Greece, NY14,477927.6%
      North Gates, NY9,740937.5%
      Brighton, NY36,1631032.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lewiston, ME36,158990.9%
      Roseville, MN36,1391088.3%
      Leavenworth, KS36,129919.4%
      Oakville, MO36,1171022.4%
      Bettendorf, IA36,2141044.2%
      Brighton, NY36,1631032.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.