East Setauket, NY vs Locust Valley, NY

East Setauket is moderately more affordable than Locust Valley, with a 9.2% lower cost of living index. East Setauket scores 156 compared to 172 for Locust Valley, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Locust Valley can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in East Setauket is $2,189/month compared to $2,274/month in Locust Valley — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: East Setauket is more affordable at $613,300 median vs $775,200.

Median household income in East Setauket is $149,820 compared to $137,344 in Locust Valley (+9.1%). East Setauket offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of East Setauket spend roughly 17.5% of their income on rent, less than the 19.9% in Locust Valley.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.1°F vs 53.4°F). East Setauket receives more rainfall at 46" per year compared to 38.3" in Locust Valley.