Monroe, NY vs Shirley, NY

Monroe, NY and Shirley, NY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Monroe scores 132 while Shirley scores 135 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Monroe is $1,984/month compared to $2,110/month in Shirley — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Monroe has cheaper rent, Shirley actually has lower median home values ($390,300 vs $404,200).

Median household income in Monroe is $110,806 compared to $105,379 in Shirley (+5.1%). Monroe offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Monroe spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, less than the 24% in Shirley.

Climate-wise, Shirley is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 49.4°F in Monroe. Shirley receives more rainfall at 44.2" per year compared to 41" in Monroe.