Affordability vs median income
Modeled annual costs equal about 74.2% of median family income in Suffolk County, MA and 50.9% in Erie County, NY. This matters because a cheaper county can still feel tight if typical local incomes are also lower.
Suffolk County, MA vs Erie County, NY: Cost of Living Difference
Erie 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?
Erie County, NY is cheaper than Suffolk County, MA.
Cheaper place
Erie County, NYSave about $32,812 per year.Cost gap
Moving to Erie County, NY is estimated to save $32,812 per year.
AnnualSave about $32,812 per year.
MonthlySave about $2,734 per month.
Salary needed
$50,000 in Suffolk County, MA is about $29,935 in Erie County, NY.
Biggest drivers
Healthcare increases by $1,010 per year. Housing saves $16,009 per year.
Suffolk County, MA→Erie County, NY
Equivalent salary in Erie County, NY
$29,935
-40.13% lower
Current salary: $50,000
Household: 1 adult · 0 children
Median Income in Suffolk County, MA: $110,193
Median Income in Erie County, NY: $96,230
annual living index in Suffolk County, MA 74.20%
annual living index in Erie County, NY 50.87%
This estimate matches your purchasing power (equivalent salary) when moving from Suffolk County, MA to Erie County, NY.
* 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 Erie County, NY compared with Suffolk County, MA.
| Category | Suffolk County, MA | Erie County, NY | Annual difference | Monthly impact | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $27,925 | $11,916 | -$16,009(-57.33%) | -$1,334 | Lower in Erie County, NY |
| Taxes | $20,352 | $9,864 | -$10,488(-51.53%) | -$874 | Lower in Erie County, NY |
| Other Costs | $10,246 | $5,118 | -$5,128(-50.05%) | -$427 | Lower in Erie County, NY |
| Transport | $13,132 | $11,442 | -$1,690(-12.87%) | -$141 | Lower in Erie County, NY |
| Healthcare | $5,033 | $6,043 | +$1,010(20.07%) | +$84 | Higher in Erie County, NY |
| Food | $5,077 | $4,569 | -$508(-10.01%) | -$42 | Lower in Erie County, NY |
| Childcare | $0 | $0 | $0(0%) | $0 | About even |
Why this comparison matters
These notes use the actual annual cost differences between Suffolk County, MA and Erie County, NY, so the page highlights the budget tradeoffs behind the total.
Housing
Housing is $16,009 per year lower in Erie County, NY than in Suffolk County, MA. Housing usually behaves like a fixed monthly commitment, so this matters most for renters or buyers checking whether Erie County, NY changes their baseline budget.
Food
Food is $508 per year lower in Erie County, NY than in Suffolk County, MA. Food costs affect weekly cash flow, so even a smaller modeled gap in Erie County, NY can show up quickly for households that cook most meals at home.
Transportation
Transportation is $1,690 per year lower in Erie County, NY than in Suffolk County, MA. Transportation matters for commuters because driving distance, vehicle costs, and transit access can change how much of a salary is left after getting around Erie County, NY.
Healthcare
Healthcare is $1,010 per year higher in Erie County, NY than in Suffolk County, MA. Healthcare differences are useful for planning premiums and out-of-pocket exposure, especially if Erie County, NY changes provider networks or plan options.
Other necessities
Other necessities is $5,128 per year lower in Erie County, NY than in Suffolk County, MA. Other necessities cover everyday basics, so changes in Erie County, NY help explain the non-housing costs that can quietly add up month after month.
Childcare
Childcare is about the same in Suffolk County, MA and Erie County, NY, so this category is not a major driver of the modeled gap. Childcare is most important for households with children; in Erie County, NY, this line can swing the result even when housing or taxes look manageable.
Taxes
Taxes is $10,488 per year lower in Erie County, NY than in Suffolk County, MA. Taxes affect take-home pay, so the gap in Erie County, NY 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, Suffolk County, MA or Erie County, NY?
Erie County, NY is cheaper than Suffolk County, MA by about $32,812 per year.
How much salary is needed in Erie County, NY?
A $50,000 salary in Suffolk County, MA is modeled as roughly equivalent to $29,935 in Erie County, NY for the selected household profile.
What costs are included in this Suffolk County, MA vs Erie County, NY 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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