Median rent is 32% lower in New York ($1,779/mo vs $2,613/mo). Buying is cheaper in West Islip, where the median home runs $592,700 versus $751,700. Households earn more in West Islip ($171,045 vs $79,713 a year).
City A
New York, NY
City B
West Islip, NY
How much would you need to earn in West Islip, NY to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
New York
New York
West Islip
New York
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in New York — median rent of $1,779/mo versus $2,613/mo in West Islip, a 32% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $751,700 versus $592,700 in West Islip — 21% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
New York's top income tax rate is 10.90% versus 10.90% in New York, so West Islip is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in New York and 4.00% in New York; West Islip has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
West Islip
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 61.0) but not yet for West Islip.
Pick West Islip if you prioritize higher median household income ($171,045/yr).
Pick New York if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,779/mo median).
Is New York cheaper than West Islip?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in New York vs West Islip?
Median rent is $1,779/mo in New York, NY and $2,613/mo in West Islip, NY. New York, NY has the lower rent by about 32%.
Which has higher salaries — New York or West Islip?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York, NY and $171,045 in West Islip, NY. West Islip, NY has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — New York or West Islip?
New York's top income tax rate is 10.90% and New York's is 10.90%. West Islip, NY has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in West Islip to match my New York income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology