At $3,106/mo, rent takes about 41% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,106 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Hempstead changed -0.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 82 New York cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +5.3%.
Rent has fallen 3 months in a row, and rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($90,420) is $2,261 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,260); a 3-bedroom is $2,930.
Deer Park, 16 miles away, rents for 23% less ($2,404/mo), about $8,400 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Hempstead. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Hempstead, NY has changed in 5 years
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%.
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Can you afford rent in Hempstead on your salary?
At $3,106/mo, how Hempstead rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Hempstead rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Hempstead. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Hempstead
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Hempstead is $3,106/mo as of October 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 41% of local median household income ($90,420/yr), Hempstead ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Hempstead?
How does Hempstead rent compare to other cities in New York?
At $3,106/mo, rent takes ~41% of Hempstead's median household income ($90,420/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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