Cost of Living in Sound Beach, NY

Population 7,207 · New York · Data vintage 2023

161
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Sound Beach sits on the smaller end of the New York city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. At 6.6%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Sound Beach sits roughly 20 miles southeast of Bridgeport. Median home values run roughly 52% higher than Bridgeport's $252,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 126
Rent 213

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Sound Beach

The median home value in Sound Beach is $384,100 — 26% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,798/month, 113% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $140,797/year is 89% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.6%, above the national average of 4.8%. New York's top state income tax rate is 10.9% and the combined sales tax is 8.5%. The climate averages highs of 60.8°F and lows of 44.0°F. Overall, Sound Beach has a cost of living index of 161 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 61% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$384,100
26% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$519,747
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,798/mo
113% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.4x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$965
1 BR
$1,051
2 BR
$1,302
3 BR
$1,619
4 BR
$1,813
Owner-occupied 85.4%
Renter-occupied 14.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,798
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $3,412/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
41.5 min
54% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.3%
Carpooled
7.3%
Public transit
4.2%
Work from home
6.0%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 10.9%
Total Sales Tax 8.5%
State rate 4.0%
Avg local rate 4.5%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$140,797
89% above avg
Per Capita Income
$51,382
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
37% above avg
Poverty Rate
2.6%
Labor Force Participation
71.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.5%
Graduate degree 23.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41
Male median age 40.3
Female median age 41.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
60.8°F
Avg Low
44.0°F
Annual Precip
44.2"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 394147586877838174645445
Low °F 242531404960666557463729
Precip" 2.973.104.624.063.473.703.243.043.903.993.654.50

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 41 — Good
76.2%
Good air days/yr
195
Max AQI recorded
86
PM2.5 days
278
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sound Beach, NY?

Sound Beach has a cost index of 161 (100 = national average). It is 61% above the national average.

What is average rent in Sound Beach, NY?

The median gross rent in Sound Beach is $2,798 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sound Beach?

The median home value in Sound Beach is $384,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sound Beach?

The median household income in Sound Beach is $140,797 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sound Beach, NY?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Sound Beach is 8.5%. The New York state income tax top rate is 10.9%.

Is Sound Beach, NY affordable?

Sound Beach is above average in cost of living, with an index of 161 — about 61% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Sound Beach?

Sound Beach has average high temperatures of 60.8°F and average lows of 44.0°F. Annual precipitation is 44.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Sound Beach at a Glance

Population
7,207
Median Income
$140,797
Home Value
$384,100
Median Rent
$2,798/mo
Unemployment
6.6%
Avg High Temp
60.8°F
Sales Tax
8.5%
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🗺️ County data for New York

Explore county-level cost of living data

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