F
56%
Overall NAT. AVG.
27%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
143%
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 East Meadow New York National
Cost of living156117100
Goods & Services127108100
Groceries113102100
Health care121103100
Housing243145100
Transportation115105100
Utilities102100100

An Overview of Cost of Living in East Meadow, NY

Understanding the cost of living in East Meadow can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The East Meadow cost of living index is 156, which is 56% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, East Meadow may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, East Meadow falls within this bracket.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the East Meadow 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 142.5% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

The things you purchase regularly, like clothes, haircuts, movie tickets and gym memberships, can make a big dent in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. Unfortunately in East Meadow, these items will cost you 26.8% more than what's considered the norm, making it a more expensive place to call home.

The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in East Meadow, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 13.4% higher than the national average.

Is East Meadow Affordable?

Is East Meadow 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 East Meadow, for instance, where the median home price falls 159.2% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 103.7% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with East Meadow flaunting a median household income of $109,895, 98.6% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in East Meadow?

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In East Meadow, the utilities index is 1.7% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In East Meadow, the groceries index is 13.4% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In East Meadow, the transportation index is 15.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in East Meadow, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in East Meadow is 33% higher than the New York average
  • The cost of living in East Meadow is 56% higher than the national average
  • East Meadow housing is 143% 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 East Meadow

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Compare East Meadow, 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$119,235$9,936$2,782$3,577
      Renters$62,093$5,174$1,449$1,863
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in East Meadow, NY, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In East Meadow, the median monthly income is $119,235 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,782 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $62,093, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,449 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 East Meadow National avg. Difference
      Haircut $34.94$24.2644.0%
      Beauty Salon $64.07$45.5640.6%
      Toothpaste $3.96$3.707.0%
      Shampoo $1.69$1.2832.3%
      Movie $13.68$12.1312.8%
      Bowling $29.40$18.0063.3%

      Groceries

      Item East Meadow National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.87$5.840.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.576.9%
      Milk $4.97$4.676.3%
      Potatoes $5.21$4.935.7%
      Pizza $12.57$12.094.0%
      Beer $11.87$10.4114.0%

      Health Care

      Item East Meadow National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $128.97$125.682.6%
      Doctor $162.24$135.7819.5%
      Dentist $149.64$113.2932.1%
      Ibuprofen $11.15$10.654.6%
      Lipitor $402.75$468.6014.1%

      Housing

      Item East Meadow National avg. Difference
      Home Price $478,700.00$184,700.00159.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $6,916.73$2,346.69194.7%
      Apartment Rent $1,933.00$949.00103.7%

      Transportation

      Item East Meadow National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.55$3.462.5%
      Tire Balancing $86.43$59.9244.2%

      Utilities

      Item East Meadow National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $201.27$193.993.8%
      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.
      Wyandanch, NY11,63212726.6%
      Hempstead, NY55,15313635.8%
      Copiague, NY23,20013332.8%
      Mount Vernon, NY67,62313737.4%
      North Amityville, NY18,89013333.3%
      East Meadow, NY37,99215655.9%

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      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Reynoldsburg, OH38,016964.4%
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      Parkland, WA37,94612120.6%
      Grants Pass, OR37,93811110.9%
      Prince Albert, SK37,925n/a 
      East Meadow, NY37,99215655.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.