F
44%
Overall NAT. AVG.
20%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
109%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Islip New York National
Cost of living144118100
Goods & Services120108100
Groceries108102100
Health care130111100
Housing209144100
Transportation100107100
Utilities129101100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Islip, NY

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Islip 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 Islip is 144, which is 44% 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 you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Islip may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Islip falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Islip cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 109.2% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, 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, Islip goods and services are 19.6% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

Is Islip Affordable?

Is Islip 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 Islip, for instance, where the median home price falls 118.6% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 87.2% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Islip flaunting a median household income of $164,412, 102.1% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Islip?

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Islip, the utilities index registers 28.9% 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 Islip, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 4%, and income tax rates kick off at 4%.

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Islip, healthcare costs are 29.7% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Islip 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.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Islip is 23% higher than the New York average
  • The cost of living in Islip is 44% higher than the national average
  • Islip housing is 109% 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 Islip

See all the best places to live around Islip

Compare Islip, 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$176,930$14,744$4,128$5,308
      Renters$78,705$6,559$1,836$2,361
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Islip, 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 Islip have a median income of $176,930. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $4,128 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $78,705, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,836.

      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 Islip 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 Islip 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 Islip 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 Islip National avg. Difference
      Home Price $714,075.00$326,622.00118.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $5,693.50$2,480.25129.6%
      Apartment Rent $2,703.00$1,444.0087.2%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Islip 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.
      Stony Brook University, NY8,77511414.3%
      Ocean Beach, NY3211716.6%
      Saltaire, NY2611716.6%
      Middle Island, NY11,45412524.6%
      Wyandanch, NY11,92513030.2%
      Islip, NY17,55914444.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      East Cleveland, OH17,5638118.7%
      Wayne, MI17,5669010.0%
      Poplar Bluff, MO17,5708217.7%
      Springfield, TN17,576946.1%
      Massapequa Park, NY17,53716160.9%
      Islip, NY17,55914444.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.