Cost of Living in Wading River, NY

Population 8,393 · New York · Data vintage 2023

160
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Wading River 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.

Wading River is about 25 miles south of New Haven, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 95% higher than New Haven's $249,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 160

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

About the Cost of Living in Wading River

The median home value in Wading River is $486,600 — 60% above the national median of $305,000. The median household income of $132,213/year is 77% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.4%, below 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, Wading River has a cost of living index of 160 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 60% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$486,600
60% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$309,366
Zillow ZHVI
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 94.0%
Renter-occupied 6.0%

🛒 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
31.8 min
18% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.3%
Carpooled
9.8%
Public transit
1.6%
Walked
0.1%
Work from home
13.2%

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
$132,213
77% above avg
Per Capita Income
$59,931
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
8% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Labor Force Participation
65.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.0%
Graduate degree 26.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 47
Male median age 40.5
Female median age 51.2

🌤 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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

-3%
4-Year Graduation Rate
1.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
1
Public schools
23
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wading River, NY?

Wading River has a cost index of 160 (100 = national average). It is 60% above the national average.

What is the average home price in Wading River?

The median home value in Wading River is $486,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Wading River?

The median household income in Wading River is $132,213 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Wading River, NY?

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

Is Wading River, NY affordable?

Wading River is above average in cost of living, with an index of 160 — about 60% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Wading River?

Wading River 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.

Wading River at a Glance

Population
8,393
Median Income
$132,213
Home Value
$486,600
Unemployment
4.4%
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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