F
27%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
68%
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 Shirley New York National
Cost of living127117100
Goods & Services108108100
Groceries99102100
Health care113103100
Housing168145100
Transportation103105100
Utilities133100100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Shirley, NY

The cost of living in Shirley affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Shirley is 127, which is 27% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Shirley 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, Shirley 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 Shirley 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 67.5% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Shirley Affordable?

Is Shirley 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 Shirley, the median home price is 50.7% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 106.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Shirley boasting a median household income of $92,426, 67.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Shirley?

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Shirley, the utilities index registers at 33.1% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including 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 farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Shirley, the groceries index is 1% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Shirley 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 Shirley is 9% higher than the New York average
  • The cost of living in Shirley is 27% higher than the national average
  • Shirley housing is 68% 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 Shirley

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Compare Shirley, 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$98,896$8,241$2,307$2,967
      Renters$52,875$4,406$1,234$1,586
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Shirley, 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 Shirley have a median income of $98,896. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,307 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $52,875, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,234.

      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 Shirley National avg. Difference
      Haircut $39.78$24.2664.0%
      Beauty Salon $69.00$45.5651.4%
      Toothpaste $3.86$3.704.2%
      Shampoo $1.47$1.2814.8%
      Movie $15.07$12.1324.2%
      Bowling $24.00$18.0033.3%

      Groceries

      Item Shirley National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.28$5.847.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.59$1.571.4%
      Milk $4.83$4.673.3%
      Potatoes $5.03$4.932.0%
      Pizza $13.21$12.099.3%
      Beer $10.53$10.411.1%

      Health Care

      Item Shirley National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $134.70$125.687.2%
      Doctor $162.26$135.7819.5%
      Dentist $136.03$113.2920.1%
      Ibuprofen $11.26$10.655.7%
      Lipitor $375.63$468.6019.8%

      Housing

      Item Shirley National avg. Difference
      Home Price $278,300.00$184,700.0050.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,730.18$2,346.6959.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,963.00$949.00106.8%

      Transportation

      Item Shirley National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.47$3.460.2%
      Tire Balancing $63.33$59.925.7%

      Utilities

      Item Shirley National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $296.64$193.9952.9%
      Phone $185.16$192.253.7%
      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.
      Ocean Beach, NY3111212.4%
      Stony Brook University, NY8,57411212.4%
      Riverside village, NY611946.1%
      Northville village, NY1,0181011.3%
      Calverton, NY5,28011818.2%
      Shirley, NY28,64012726.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      East Haven, CT28,64511312.8%
      Agawam Town, MA28,62711212.2%
      Lake in the Hills, IL28,6171066.5%
      Vero Beach South, FL28,6761033.1%
      Burton, MI28,5988911.0%
      Shirley, NY28,64012726.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.