salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 94% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.6 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 33.3 minutes each way. Most homes (88.1%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 61.7% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $140,040 a year. That is $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New York cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of New York. It is number 319 of 343 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Melville?
Share of households by yearly income. 61.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Melville
| Size | Melville | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $3,500+ | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,522 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,044 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Melville overall?
Everyday prices in New York overall are 8% above the U.S. average (index 107.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Melville, so the New York figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Melville
Life in Melville
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Melville?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,973 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $788,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $78,890 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Melville, NY?
Renting in Melville costs a median of about $3,500+ a month in 2026, including utilities. The New York median is $2,177.
How much do I need to make to live in Melville?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $140,040 a year, or $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Melville cheap or expensive?
Melville is rated OK: rent takes 24.4% of the typical household income of $172,476. It ranks 319th cheapest of 343 New York cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Melville?
The median homeowner in Melville pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 1.27% of the median home value.
Is Melville more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in New York are 8% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Melville?
The median home value in Melville is $788,900, about 4.6 times the typical yearly household income.
19,714 people live in Melville. Numbers are typical (middle) values.