Affordability vs median income
Modeled annual costs equal about 45.6% of median family income in Nassau County, NY and 74.2% in Suffolk County, MA. This matters because a cheaper county can still feel tight if typical local incomes are also lower.
Nassau County, NY vs Suffolk County, MA: Cost of Living Difference
Nassau County, NY is cheaper than Suffolk County, MA for modeled annual cost of living. This comparison shows the yearly cost gap, salary needed to keep similar purchasing power, and the categories driving the difference.
Is it cheaper?
Nassau County, NY is cheaper than Suffolk County, MA.
Cheaper place
Nassau County, NYSpend $6,174 more per year.Cost gap
Moving to Suffolk County, MA is estimated to cost $6,174 more per year.
AnnualSpend $6,174 more per year.
MonthlySpend $515 more per month.
Salary needed
$50,000 in Nassau County, NY is about $54,085 in Suffolk County, MA.
Biggest drivers
Housing increases by $5,723 per year. Healthcare saves $3,022 per year.
Nassau County, NY→Suffolk County, MA
Equivalent salary in Suffolk County, MA
$54,085
+8.17% higher
Current salary: $50,000
Household: 1 adult · 0 children
Median Income in Nassau County, NY: $165,692
Median Income in Suffolk County, MA: $110,193
annual living index in Nassau County, NY 45.62%
annual living index in Suffolk County, MA 74.20%
This estimate matches your purchasing power (equivalent salary) when moving from Nassau County, NY to Suffolk County, MA.
* Living index is estimated as (estimated annual total cost / area median annual income) * 100. A living index above 100% means modeled costs exceed median income.
Cost of Living Breakdown by Category
Category-by-category comparison
Annual costs are shown for the selected household. The difference column shows how much more or less the category costs in Suffolk County, MA compared with Nassau County, NY.
| Category | Nassau County, NY | Suffolk County, MA | Annual difference | Monthly impact | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $22,202 | $27,925 | +$5,723(25.78%) | +$477 | Higher in Suffolk County, MA |
| Healthcare | $8,055 | $5,033 | -$3,022(-37.52%) | -$252 | Lower in Suffolk County, MA |
| Other Costs | $8,373 | $10,246 | +$1,873(22.37%) | +$156 | Higher in Suffolk County, MA |
| Taxes | $18,672 | $20,352 | +$1,680(9%) | +$140 | Higher in Suffolk County, MA |
| Transport | $13,523 | $13,132 | -$391(-2.89%) | -$33 | Lower in Suffolk County, MA |
| Food | $4,766 | $5,077 | +$311(6.53%) | +$26 | Higher in Suffolk County, MA |
| Childcare | $0 | $0 | $0(0%) | $0 | About even |
Why this comparison matters
These notes use the actual annual cost differences between Nassau County, NY and Suffolk County, MA, so the page highlights the budget tradeoffs behind the total.
Housing
Housing is $5,723 per year higher in Suffolk County, MA than in Nassau County, NY. Housing usually behaves like a fixed monthly commitment, so this matters most for renters or buyers checking whether Suffolk County, MA changes their baseline budget.
Food
Food is $311 per year higher in Suffolk County, MA than in Nassau County, NY. Food costs affect weekly cash flow, so even a smaller modeled gap in Suffolk County, MA can show up quickly for households that cook most meals at home.
Transportation
Transportation is $391 per year lower in Suffolk County, MA than in Nassau County, NY. Transportation matters for commuters because driving distance, vehicle costs, and transit access can change how much of a salary is left after getting around Suffolk County, MA.
Healthcare
Healthcare is $3,022 per year lower in Suffolk County, MA than in Nassau County, NY. Healthcare differences are useful for planning premiums and out-of-pocket exposure, especially if Suffolk County, MA changes provider networks or plan options.
Other necessities
Other necessities is $1,873 per year higher in Suffolk County, MA than in Nassau County, NY. Other necessities cover everyday basics, so changes in Suffolk County, MA help explain the non-housing costs that can quietly add up month after month.
Childcare
Childcare is about the same in Nassau County, NY and Suffolk County, MA, so this category is not a major driver of the modeled gap. Childcare is most important for households with children; in Suffolk County, MA, this line can swing the result even when housing or taxes look manageable.
Taxes
Taxes is $1,680 per year higher in Suffolk County, MA than in Nassau County, NY. Taxes affect take-home pay, so the gap in Suffolk County, MA matters even if the headline salary looks similar before deductions.
Methodology and data vintage
WatchPennies uses county-level 2026 cost estimates from a 2025-2026 cost-data snapshot. The comparison includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, other necessities, taxes, total cost, and median family income context when available.
Read the full methodologyFrequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Nassau County, NY or Suffolk County, MA?
Nassau County, NY is cheaper than Suffolk County, MA by about $6,174 per year.
How much salary is needed in Suffolk County, MA?
A $50,000 salary in Nassau County, NY is modeled as roughly equivalent to $54,085 in Suffolk County, MA for the selected household profile.
What costs are included in this Nassau County, NY vs Suffolk County, MA comparison?
The comparison includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, other necessities, taxes, total cost, and median family income context when available.
Is this comparison personalized financial advice?
No. WatchPennies comparisons are directional planning estimates based on county-level public datasets, not personalized financial, tax, housing, or relocation advice.
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