Long Island is a heavily populated island located in the southeastern part of New York on the East Coast of the United States. It’s about a half mile from Manhattan and extends into the Atlantic Ocean for more than 100 miles.
Long Island encompasses four counties: Kings, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk. Both the Brooklyn and Queens boroughs of New York City are on Long Island, although some people in the New York metropolitan area only include Nassau and Suffolk Counties in the term Long Island. More than 7.6 million people live on Long Island, which also houses two major airports. If you’re on a tight relocation budget and looking for a new apartment, find out about the cheapest place to live on Long Island.
Is Long Island an affordable place to live?
Overall, Long Island is often considered to be relatively expensive compared to many other parts of the United States, primarily due to its proximity to New York City and its desirability as a suburban area. It’s important to note that there are areas on Long Island that are more affordable than others. Some less densely populated towns and areas farther from the coast might have a lower cost of living. Additionally, shared housing or renting a room might provide a more affordable option for some individuals.
Median income in Long Island
Since Long Island encompasses multiple counties, the median income varies from community to community. The median income in Long Island as of 2021 was $111,660, substantially higher than the national average of $70,784. However, the cost of living on Long Island is also considerably higher than the national average, and residents must earn higher incomes to afford to live there.
The median income in Nassau County comes in slightly higher at $116,100 for a household. Poverty rates on Long Island are lower than the national average, and the unemployment rate in 2019 was 3.4%. Living on Long Island offers access to some of the most well-known attractions in the world. Long Island is part of the New York City metropolitan area, which includes more than 21 million residents. This metropolitan area is the largest and one of the most populous of its type in the world.
This area has also played a significant role in science engineering and research over the years. The Brookhaven National Laboratory of Nuclear Physics is on Long Island. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy maintains a research facility here. Locals enjoy participating in the annual Long Island Pizza Festival and Bake-Off, which brings small, family-owned pizzerias and Italian eateries together to compete for a chance to be named the best on the island.
The most affordable places to live in Long Island
When you’re looking for one of the cheapest places to live on Long Island, start your search in areas outside the city. You’ll pay a premium to live within the city, with rental prices well above the national average. Roosevelt is one of the more affordable places to live on Long Island. This community ranks above the national average in health care and grocery costs. The housing prices here are slightly more affordable than in other parts of the area, too. You can also enjoy easy access to the city via public transportation.
Bellport is another place to consider in your search for the cheapest places to live on Long Island. The northern part of this city is more affordable, although the entire city ranks highly as a peaceful, tranquil place to call home. A railroad station ensures an easy commute to New York City, while John F. Kennedy International Airport is only about 15 miles away. Residents of Bellport also have access to a range of shopping and dining locations and Jones Beach Park, which hosts various events and concerts throughout the year.
Massapequa is east of Bellmore within Nassau County. It’s a family-friendly area of Long Island with six public elementary schools, plus middle and high schools to accommodate the growing population. Many young families looking for the cheapest places to live in Long Island reside here because it’s more affordable and provides access to outdoor recreation, including fishing and hiking near the Massapequa Reserve. This suburb is 40 miles from New York City, has a train station for commuters, and features shopping areas and malls.
Stony Brook, a hamlet on the north shore of Long Island, is situated within Suffolk County. The town was an agricultural enclave during its early days, although it has grown and expanded to become a thriving location for singles and families. National and state publications consistently recognize Stony Brook as one of the best towns in Long Island. Appealing attractions include Avalon Park and Nature Preserve and the Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages.
Most affordable rent in Long Island
As mentioned, Roosevelt is more affordable among the cheap places to live in Long Island. The average rental price for a studio apartment is $1,381 per month, compared to the average in the entire metro area at $1,439. In contrast, you’ll find a one-bedroom apartment in Roosevelt costs an average of $1,711 per month. In comparison, a two-bedroom apartment increases to an average of slightly more than $2,100 per month. Bellport has experienced a slight increase in rental prices, with the average price of a 1,000-square-foot rental being somewhat less than $2,500 per month.
Massapequa’s average rent prices have decreased slightly over the last year. The current average rental price for a 1,000-square-foot apartment is $2,566 per month. In Stony Brook, renters pay an average of $2,270 for a one-bedroom apartment. The rental rates have increased slightly in Stony Brook. However, Stony Brook is still more affordable than many of the rentals available in more expensive areas of Long Island or within Manhattan, where the average for a 700-square-foot apartment is more than $3,600.
If you want to save money on rent, you may want to consider sharing an apartment or home with roommates. Many people throughout the metro area live with roommates to lower their cost of living. Renting a studio apartment in Roosevelt could cost nearly $1,400 per month while splitting a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate will cost each of you an average of $1,050 per month in rent.
Start your search for the cheapest place to live in Long Island with Zumper. Compare by neighborhood and filter your results to include rentals with the amenities you want. You can easily drill down and compare prices so that you can find your ideal living space in this thriving, bustling area of the New York City metropolitan area.
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