City Report · NY

Hempstead

Pop. 58,801·26th most expensive in New York·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate
Median rent (all units)
$3,370/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-4.0%
vs US Median
+$1,405
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Hempstead · $3,370
More expensive than 95% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
45% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,370/mo, rent takes about 45% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$135,000/yr
Local median income
$90,420/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Hempstead's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,580
1 BR
$1,930
2 BR
$2,260
3 BR
$2,930
4 BR+
$3,170
Research median
$2,260/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$40,440/yr
At $3,370/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -4.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Hempstead, NY is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
58,801
Median income
$90,420
Median age
38.1
Renters
52.5%
Age distribution
22.7%
23.6%
28%
12.5%
13.2%
Under 1822.7%
18–3423.6%
35–5428%
55–6412.5%
65+13.2%
Gender
49.1%
50.9%
Male49.1%
Female50.9%
Race & ethnicity
45%
45.3%
White5.9%
Black45%
Hispanic45.3%
Asian2.8%
Other1%
Education (25+)
24.5%
30.9%
23.1%
21.5%
No HS diploma24.5%
HS diploma30.9%
Some college23.1%
Bachelor's+21.5%
Housing tenure
47.5%
52.5%
Owner47.5%
Renter52.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Hempstead, NY has changed in 5 years

Income
$74,680 → $90,420
up 21.1%
Population
58,532 → 58,801
up 0.5%
Renter share
55.7% → 52.5%
-3.2 pts
Bachelor's+
17.3% → 21.5%
+4.2 pts
Median age
35.3 → 38.1
+2.8 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Hempstead, NY now reports about $90,420, up from $74,680 in 2021. About 52.5% of households rent today, against 55.7% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 17.3% to 21.5%.

Community

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View Hempstead rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Hempstead on your salary?

At $3,370/mo, how Hempstead rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Hempstead rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Hempstead. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Hempstead

About renting in Hempstead, NY

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Hempstead is $3,370/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,580/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,260/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,930/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,930/mo.

At 45% of local median household income ($90,420/yr), Hempstead ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Hempstead an affordable city for renters?

Hempstead is considered stretched for renters. At $3,370/mo, rent takes approximately 45% of the local median household income ($90,420/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Hempstead significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Hempstead?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $135,000/year (~$65/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,370/mo in Hempstead. The local median household income is $90,420/yr, meaning the typical Hempstead household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Hempstead?

Rent in Hempstead has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Hempstead rent compare to other cities in New York?

Hempstead is one of the pricier cities in New York for rent, ranking #26 out of 126 tracked cities at $3,370/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Hempstead?

Mineola is nearby and more affordable at $3,341/mo, which is $29 less than Hempstead.

What percentage of Hempstead residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52.5% of Hempstead households are renters, while 47.5% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Hempstead has a strong rental market.

How does Hempstead rent compare to the national average?

Hempstead's median rent of $3,370/mo is $1,405 (72%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New York, it ranks #26 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
45%
STRETCHED

At $3,370/mo, rent takes ~45% of Hempstead's median household income ($90,420/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Hempstead 45%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4–10.9%
Run the Hempstead affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Hempstead
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Hempstead, NY

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