CountyScore

Suffolk County

New York · NY

#62 in New York
48.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Suffolk County, New York

Suffolk Scores Below National Median

Suffolk County's composite score of 41.7 falls below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties on overall livability. This below-average score reflects a significant trade-off: high incomes and reasonable taxes paired with steep housing costs that strain the overall profile.

Lowest Score in New York Group

Suffolk ranks noticeably below New York's state average of 54.7, scoring 41.7—the lowest of these eight counties examined. While Long Island has undeniable economic strength, housing affordability challenges dominate the livability equation.

High Incomes, Low Tax Rate

Suffolk excels on income with a score of 67.1 and a median household income of $128,329—more than double that of some rural counties. The effective tax rate of 1.854% is also competitive, making it attractive to affluent households.

Housing Costs Dominate Concerns

Suffolk's cost score of only 29.0 reflects the harsh reality: a median home value of $539,500 and median rent of $2,190 monthly are among the nation's highest. High earners can manage this burden, but most households will find housing increasingly unaffordable.

For High-Income Families Only

Suffolk County is suited to affluent households with six-figure incomes who can absorb premium Long Island housing costs while enjoying excellent earning potential. Others should carefully assess whether their income can sustain the median home values and rents here.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax50.1Cost29SafetyComing SoonHealth81.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome67.1Risk2.7WaterComing Soon
🏛50.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠29
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼67.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤81.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡2.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Suffolk County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Gloucester County
New Jersey
48.2
Median income: $102,807
Middlesex County
New Jersey
48.4
Median income: $109,028
Lake County
Illinois
48.5
Median income: $108,917
Salem County
New Jersey
48.6
Median income: $78,412
Mercer County
New Jersey
47.8
Median income: $96,333

Deep Dives

Suffolk County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Suffolk County

via TaxByCounty

Suffolk taxes well below national median

Suffolk County's effective tax rate of 1.854% ranks in the 28th percentile nationally—well below the national median of 2.09%. Yet its median property tax of $10,001 is nearly four times the national median of $2,690, reflecting Long Island's steep home values averaging $539,500.

Lowest tax rate among all sample counties

Suffolk's effective rate of 1.854% is the lowest among the eight profiled New York counties and well below the state average of 2.046%. Despite this favorable rate, the median tax bill of $10,001 dwarfs the state median of $4,709 because Suffolk homes command premium prices.

Most affordable rate in the cohort

Suffolk's 1.854% rate is notably lower than all regional peers, from Ulster County (1.944%) to Steuben County (2.523%). The trade-off: while Suffolk's tax rate is easiest on the percentage, its actual dollar burden is the heaviest due to extreme home values.

Annual tax on typical Suffolk home

A homeowner with the county's median-valued property of $539,500 pays approximately $10,001 annually in property taxes. This figure remains identical whether the property carries a mortgage or not.

Even modest appeals yield big savings

Suffolk County homeowners benefit from the lowest tax rate in the group, but high home values mean even small assessment errors cost thousands. If your home's assessed value seems inflated compared to recent comparable sales, filing an appeal could save you five figures over time.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Suffolk County

via CostByCounty

Suffolk: High earners, high housing costs

Suffolk County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.5% exceeds the national average despite a median household income of $128,329—nearly 72% above the U.S. median. At $2,190 per month, median rent reflects Long Island's regional market dynamics, where high incomes coexist with premium housing costs.

Least affordable county in New York

Suffolk County has the highest rent-to-income ratio in our dataset at 20.5%, significantly above New York's 17.6% state average. Despite earning the most of any county studied here, residents allocate substantially more income to housing, underscoring Long Island's affordability crisis.

Drastically pricier than upstate peers

Suffolk County's $2,190 median rent towers over upstate comparables like Seneca ($925), Steuben ($878), and Tioga ($914)—some paying 2.5 times less. Even Ulster County, Westchester's southern neighbor, charges only $1,335 rent, making Suffolk's prices distinctly unaffordable by regional standards.

Where income meets expensive housing

Median rent reaches $2,190 monthly while homeownership costs $2,549, consuming 20.5% and 23.7% of household income respectively. With a median home value of $539,500, homeownership requires exceptional earning power—accessible only to the county's well-compensated professionals.

Suffolk demands serious earning power

Suffolk County is best suited for high-income households earning $120,000+ annually; anyone else will struggle with its 20.5% rent-to-income burden. If you're considering relocation away from Suffolk, upstate counties like Steuben offer identical or better quality of life while cutting housing costs by 65–75%.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Suffolk County

via IncomeByCounty

Suffolk far exceeds national income

Suffolk County's median household income of $128,329 nearly doubles the national median of $74,755, placing it among the wealthiest counties in America. This $53,574 advantage reflects a strong suburban economy anchored by professional services, technology, and established wealth.

Suffolk dominates New York's income rankings

At $128,329, Suffolk County ranks in the top tier of New York's 62 counties, significantly outpacing the state median of $76,433. Only a handful of New York counties match Suffolk's earning power, primarily wealthy Manhattan and Westchester suburbs.

Vastly wealthier than regional counterparts

Suffolk's $128,329 income dwarfs neighboring Tompkins County ($73,012) and Ulster County ($81,804) by substantial margins. This gap reflects Suffolk's position as a premier Long Island suburb with access to high-wage jobs and professional opportunities.

High income, high costs on Long Island

Despite Suffolk's strong income, residents face a rent-to-income ratio of 20.5% and median home values of $539,500—significantly higher than less affluent counties. The wealth here comes with correspondingly elevated housing and living costs that demand careful financial planning.

Maximizing wealth in Suffolk County

With median household income at $128,329, Suffolk residents should leverage their earnings through diversified investments, real estate strategies, and tax-efficient wealth building. Consulting with financial advisors about portfolio diversification, retirement optimization, and generational wealth planning can significantly amplify long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Suffolk County

via HealthByCounty

Suffolk County leads New York on health

Suffolk County's 79.4-year life expectancy exceeds both the U.S. average (79.1) and New York's state average (77.9)—making it among the healthiest counties in the state. Only 12.5% of residents report poor or fair health, significantly below national and state norms.

Top tier for health outcomes statewide

Suffolk ranks among the highest-performing New York counties for life expectancy and self-reported health. With a 5.7% uninsured rate slightly above the state average, most Suffolk residents maintain healthcare coverage.

Strongest health metrics in the region

Suffolk's 79.4-year life expectancy and 12.5% poor/fair health rate outpace all neighboring upstate counties, including regional leaders like Tompkins (80.9 life expectancy) and Ulster (78.8). Suffolk's 71 primary care providers per 100,000 residents rank second only to Tompkins (80) in the cohort.

Abundant providers support comprehensive care

Suffolk boasts 71 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and an exceptional 331 mental health providers per 100,000—well above regional and national standards. This robust infrastructure enables residents to access preventive, routine, and behavioral health services with minimal delays.

Maintain your coverage advantage

With health outcomes already strong, ensure continuity by reviewing your insurance options annually at ny.gov/healthplan or calling 1-855-355-5777 to keep your coverage optimized for your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Suffolk County

via RiskByCounty

Suffolk County's Elevated Risk Status

Suffolk County scores 97.33 with a Relatively High rating, placing it in New York's highest-risk tier and well above the state average of 69.42. The county faces severe exposure across virtually all major hazard categories, from hurricanes to earthquakes.

Highest Risk County in New York

Suffolk County's composite score of 97.33 ranks it as the state's riskiest county by a significant margin, driven by extreme vulnerabilities to hurricanes (96.83), floods (98.60), and earthquakes (95.90). Long Island's coastal geography and density compound these multi-hazard exposures.

Far Exceeds Regional Risk Profiles

Suffolk County's 97.33 score dwarfs all other counties in this analysis, nearly twice the risk of Ulster County (87.69) and far beyond St. Lawrence County (77.89). This exceptional elevation reflects its unique exposure as a densely populated coastal peninsula.

Hurricanes, Floods, and Tornadoes

Suffolk County faces extreme hurricane risk (96.83), flood risk (98.60), and elevated tornado risk (74.75)—all among the nation's highest for any county. Earthquake risk at 95.90 also presents significant concern, particularly for aging infrastructure and newer residential areas.

Comprehensive Insurance Essential

Suffolk County residents must secure comprehensive flood insurance, hurricane-grade wind coverage, and earthquake protection to adequately protect their homes and assets. Properties in coastal and low-lying areas face compounded risk and should also consider storm surge and elevation strategies.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.