Cost of Living in Wantagh, NY

Population 17,964 · New York · Data vintage 2023

198
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Wantagh run well above the national baseline, with a median of $666,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $174,773 place the city among the better-paid New York metros.

Geographically, Wantagh sits roughly 20 miles east of New York. Median home values run roughly 11% lower than New York's $752,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 218
Rent 167

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

About the Cost of Living in Wantagh

The median home value in Wantagh is $665,700 — 118% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,191/month, 67% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $174,773/year is 134% 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 61.1°F and lows of 45.9°F. Overall, Wantagh has a cost of living index of 198 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 98% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$665,700
118% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$783,163
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,191/mo
67% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.3x
Favors renting
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 95.6%
Renter-occupied 4.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,191
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,805/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
36.9 min
37% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.0%
Carpooled
3.3%
Public transit
11.4%
Walked
0.8%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
15.6%

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
$174,773
134% above avg
Per Capita Income
$62,924
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
8% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Labor Force Participation
63.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.5%
Graduate degree 25.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.1
Male median age 36.8
Female median age 45.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.1°F
Avg Low
45.9°F
Annual Precip
38.3"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 394148586877838275645344
Low °F 252633425161686760483831
Precip" 2.692.033.463.613.183.453.053.253.663.372.933.60

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 31 — Good
75.3%
Good air days/yr
197
Max AQI recorded
365
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

98%
4-Year Graduation Rate
9.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
2,816
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wantagh, NY?

Wantagh has a cost index of 198 (100 = national average). It is 98% above the national average.

What is average rent in Wantagh, NY?

The median gross rent in Wantagh is $2,191 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Wantagh?

The median home value in Wantagh is $665,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Wantagh?

The median household income in Wantagh is $174,773 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Wantagh, NY?

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

Is Wantagh, NY affordable?

Wantagh is above average in cost of living, with an index of 198 — about 98% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Wantagh?

Wantagh has average high temperatures of 61.1°F and average lows of 45.9°F. Annual precipitation is 38.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Wantagh at a Glance

Population
17,964
Median Income
$174,773
Home Value
$665,700
Median Rent
$2,191/mo
Unemployment
4.4%
Avg High Temp
61.1°F
Sales Tax
8.5%
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