Long Island, located in New York, is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant communities, and proximity to New York City. Understanding the cost of living in Long Island is crucial for anyone considering moving to or living in this area.

The cost of living encompasses various aspects such as housing, transportation, groceries, and dining, which can significantly impact your budget and lifestyle.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $20 on average, with a range between $13 and $50.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $80, with prices ranging from $60 to $150.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $10.5, with a range between $10 and $15.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $4.5 to $14, imported beer $7 to $12, cappuccino $3 to $7, and Coke/Pepsi $2 to $4.5.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.82 and $1.85 per liter, averaging $1.13.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $2.76 and $8, with an average price of $4.23.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $2.19 to $6.98, averaging $3.5.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2 to $8.82 per kg, while oranges range from $2 to $6.61 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.1 and $4.41 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.5 to $4.99 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $2.75 and $8, with a monthly pass priced between $127 and $132.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.82 and $0.97 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $3, with a cost of $2.05 per km and $24 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $2200 to $3500, averaging $2733.33.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1900 to $2600, averaging $2250.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $3800 to $4500, averaging $4100.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $3400 to $3700, averaging $3533.33.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $85 and $350, averaging $118.73.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $40 to $100, with an average cost of $57.25.
Worldwide
United States

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 25 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$20.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$80.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$10.50
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69
Cappuccino (regular)
$5.10
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.13
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$4.23
Eggs (regular) (12)
$3.50
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.64
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.29
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$18.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.00
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$11.98
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.95
Apples (1kg)
$5.22
Oranges (1kg)
$4.79
Potato (1kg)
$2.76
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.25
Rice (white), (1kg)
$4.06
Tomato (1kg)
$4.12
Banana (1kg)
$1.64
Onion (1kg)
$4.04
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$15.43
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$2.90
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$129.50
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.91
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$24,000.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.00
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$2.05
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$24.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$24,500.00
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$2,733.33
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$2,250.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$4,100.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$3,533.33
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$118.73
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$57.25
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$41.88
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$32.50
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$13.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$56.67
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$79.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$131.67
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,575.00
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.46%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$2,500.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$22,500.00
Long Island Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Long Island presents a relatively high cost of living, especially in terms of housing and dining. Rent prices are notably high, particularly in the city centre.

Transportation costs can vary, with public transport offering a more economical option compared to driving.

Grocery prices are moderate, but dining out can be expensive, especially at mid-range and upscale restaurants.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Long Island offers a vibrant lifestyle with its proximity to New York City, but it comes with a high cost of living.

Prospective residents should budget carefully, particularly for housing and dining, and consider using public transportation to manage expenses effectively.