Stony Brook, NY vs Thornwood, NY

Stony Brook, NY and Thornwood, NY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Stony Brook scores 168 while Thornwood scores 161 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 Stony Brook is $2,643/month compared to $2,245/month in Thornwood — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Thornwood has cheaper rent, Stony Brook actually has lower median home values ($587,300 vs $654,600).

Median household income in Stony Brook is $162,054 compared to $186,635 in Thornwood (-13.2%). Thornwood offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Stony Brook spend roughly 19.6% of their income on rent, more than the 14.4% in Thornwood.