Brookhaven, NY vs Hillcrest, NY

Brookhaven is moderately more affordable than Hillcrest, with a 9.7% lower cost of living index. Brookhaven scores 145 compared to 160 for Hillcrest, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hillcrest can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Brookhaven is $1,908/month compared to $2,488/month in Hillcrest — a 23% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Brookhaven has cheaper rent, Hillcrest actually has lower median home values ($551,200 vs $577,000).

Median household income in Brookhaven is $95,345 compared to $142,260 in Hillcrest (-33%). While Hillcrest is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookhaven spend roughly 24% of their income on rent, more than the 21% in Hillcrest.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.4°F vs 52°F). Hillcrest receives more rainfall at 47.8" per year compared to 44.2" in Brookhaven.