salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 96% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.3 years of household income. Most homes (90.8%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 68.3% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $140,040 a year. That is $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New York cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of New York. It is number 322 of 343 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Stony Brook?
Share of households by yearly income. 67.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Stony Brook
| Size | Stony Brook | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $2,621 | $1,324 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Stony Brook overall?
Everyday prices in New York overall are 8% above the U.S. average (index 107.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Stony Brook, so the New York figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Stony Brook
Life in Stony Brook
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Stony Brook?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $824 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $623,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $62,330 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Stony Brook, NY?
Renting in Stony Brook costs a median of about $3,500+ a month in 2026, including utilities. The New York median is $2,177.
How much do I need to make to live in Stony Brook?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $140,040 a year, or $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Stony Brook cheap or expensive?
Stony Brook is rated OK: rent takes 22.3% of the typical household income of $188,599. It ranks 322nd cheapest of 343 New York cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Stony Brook?
The median homeowner in Stony Brook pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 1.60% of the median home value.
Is Stony Brook more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in New York are 8% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Stony Brook?
The median home value in Stony Brook is $623,300, about 3.3 times the typical yearly household income.
12,868 people live in Stony Brook. Numbers are typical (middle) values.