salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 95% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.7 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 35.6 minutes each way. Most homes (90.6%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $133,160 a year. That is $64 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 301 of 343 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in West Hempstead?
Share of households by yearly income. 62.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in West Hempstead
| Size | West Hempstead | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $2,015 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,525 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,668 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,744 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is West Hempstead 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 West Hempstead, so the New York figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in West Hempstead
Life in West Hempstead
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in West Hempstead?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,206 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $653,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $65,360 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in West Hempstead, NY?
Renting in West Hempstead costs a median of about $3,329 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New York median is $2,177.
How much do I need to make to live in West Hempstead?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $133,160 a year, or $64 an hour at a full-time job.
Is West Hempstead cheap or expensive?
West Hempstead is rated OK: rent takes 22.6% of the typical household income of $177,011. It ranks 301st cheapest of 343 New York cities we track.
How much are property taxes in West Hempstead?
The median homeowner in West Hempstead pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 1.53% of the median home value.
Is West Hempstead 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 West Hempstead?
The median home value in West Hempstead is $653,600, about 3.7 times the typical yearly household income.
20,648 people live in West Hempstead. Numbers are typical (middle) values.