Long Island's cost of living crisis: Complete coverage

Updated August 7, 2023

Long Island has become nearly unaffordable for large swaths of the middle class that “Levittowns” were supposed to service, not to mention those living under or close to the poverty line. Thousands of families struggle to get by, figuring out each week how they will pay the rent or mortgage, buy food, cover health care costs, get clothes and put gas in the car. Newsday interviewed scores of experts and Long Island families to understand why the region is so expensive and what can be done. Read the complete series here and check back each day for more coverage.

Long Island's cost of living crisis: Complete coverage

1 out of 5 LIers living below the poverty line, unable to get ahead

'I didn't expect it to be like this': Rising taxes on LI are making homeownership unaffordable for many

Hourslong bus commutes. Nearly $500 for tickets. LIers without cars struggle with inconveniences and costs

Stretching $39,520 to cover rent, bills and food for three kids: How a single mom makes it work

3 kids, 1 bedroom: High rent means squeezing into too-small units for many in tight market

More LIers struggle to put food on the table, while many don't qualify for food stamps

Day care costs more than a year of state college. What help is available?

'Everyone was overbidding': Why are LI homes so expensive?

Bank fees, high rates take biggest toll on low-income LIers

'The cost of living here is ridiculous': LIers grapple with rising utility rates

'We're in danger of losing our middle class': Solutions to LI's affordability crisis

Long Island is really expensive. Here are more than a dozen ways to make it more affordable.