New Square, NY vs Shirley, NY

New Square, NY and Shirley, NY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.9% difference in their overall index. New Square scores 138 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 New Square is $1,575/month compared to $2,110/month in Shirley — a 25% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while New Square has cheaper rent, Shirley actually has lower median home values ($390,300 vs $618,800).

Median household income in New Square is $28,880 compared to $105,379 in Shirley (-72.6%). Shirley offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of New Square spend roughly 65.4% of their income on rent, more than the 24% in Shirley. The Shirley ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

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