F
67%
Overall NAT. AVG.
13%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
193%
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 Plainview New York National
Cost of living167117100
Goods & Services113108100
Groceries105102100
Health care110103100
Housing293145100
Transportation102105100
Utilities131100100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Plainview, NY

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Plainview? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Plainview stands at 167, making it 67% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Plainview may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Plainview falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs significantly influence the Plainview cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 193.2%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

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, Plainview goods and services are 12.9% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

Is Plainview Affordable?

Is Plainview an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Plainview is 231.5% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 103.7% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Plainview has a median household income of $156,622, which is 183.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Plainview?

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 Plainview, healthcare costs are 9.9% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Plainview, the general sales tax rate starts at 4%, and income tax rates begin at 4%.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Plainview, the housing index comes in at 193.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Plainview, 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 Plainview is 43% higher than the New York average
  • The cost of living in Plainview is 67% higher than the national average
  • Plainview housing is 193% 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 Plainview

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Compare Plainview, 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$163,871$13,656$3,823$4,917
      Renters$31,193$2,599$728$936
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Plainview, NY, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Plainview, homeowners have a median income of $163,871. Using that number, a maximum of $3,823 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $31,193, which means there is a maximum of $728 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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 Plainview National avg. Difference
      Haircut $32.33$24.2633.3%
      Beauty Salon $48.56$45.566.6%
      Toothpaste $3.66$3.701.1%
      Shampoo $1.50$1.2817.4%
      Movie $13.76$12.1313.4%
      Bowling $19.63$18.009.0%

      Groceries

      Item Plainview National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.34$5.848.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.4%
      Milk $4.73$4.671.2%
      Potatoes $5.03$4.931.9%
      Pizza $10.07$12.0916.7%
      Beer $10.62$10.412.0%

      Health Care

      Item Plainview National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $140.10$125.6811.5%
      Doctor $143.23$135.785.5%
      Dentist $123.00$113.298.6%
      Ibuprofen $11.00$10.653.3%
      Lipitor $401.34$468.6014.4%

      Housing

      Item Plainview National avg. Difference
      Home Price $612,300.00$184,700.00231.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,857.27$2,346.6920.9%
      Apartment Rent $1,933.00$949.00103.7%

      Transportation

      Item Plainview National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.33$3.463.7%
      Tire Balancing $57.68$59.923.7%

      Utilities

      Item Plainview National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $281.67$193.9945.2%
      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.
      Saltaire, NY2511212.4%
      Wyandanch, NY11,63212726.6%
      Central Islip, NY33,59113029.6%
      Brentwood, NY62,74313029.8%
      North Bay Shore, NY19,72813030.2%
      Plainview, NY26,26716766.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Superior, WI26,260945.6%
      Orchards, WA26,28912525.5%
      Galt, CA26,23513231.9%
      Clarksburg, MD26,23415352.9%
      Smithtown, NY26,19715655.6%
      Plainview, NY26,26716766.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.