City Report · NY

Port Jefferson

Pop. 8,091·32nd most expensive in New York·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,165/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-1.3%
vs US Median
+$1,200
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Port Jefferson rents
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Port Jefferson · $3,165
More expensive than 93% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
26% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,165/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$127,000/yr
Local median income
$144,912/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Port Jefferson's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,930
1 BR
$2,340
2 BR
$2,700
3 BR
$3,500
4 BR+
$3,750
Research median
$2,700/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$37,980/yr
At $3,165/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -1.3% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Port Jefferson, NY is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 67.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
8,091
Median income
$144,912
Median age
45
Renters
28%
Age distribution
17.9%
20.6%
24.5%
13.6%
23.5%
Under 1817.9%
18–3420.6%
35–5424.5%
55–6413.6%
65+23.5%
Gender
47.8%
52.2%
Male47.8%
Female52.2%
Race & ethnicity
81.4%
White81.4%
Hispanic10.5%
Asian6.4%
Other1.3%
Education (25+)
14%
15.7%
67.7%
No HS diploma2.6%
HS diploma14%
Some college15.7%
Bachelor's+67.7%
Housing tenure
72%
28%
Owner72%
Renter28%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Port Jefferson, NY has changed in 5 years

Income
$121,270 → $144,912
up 19.5%
Population
7,951 → 8,091
up 1.8%
Renter share
24.9% → 28%
+3.1 pts
Bachelor's+
63.4% → 67.7%
+4.3 pts
Median age
45.6 → 45
-0.6 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $121,270 in 2021 to $144,912 more recently. The population has grown by 1.8% since 2021, moving from about 7,951 residents to roughly 8,091. Renters now make up 28% of households, compared with 24.9% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 67.7% of adults here, versus 63.4% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Port Jefferson

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Port Jefferson rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Port Jefferson on your salary?

At $3,165/mo, how Port Jefferson rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Port Jefferson rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Port Jefferson

About renting in Port Jefferson, NY

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Port Jefferson is $3,165/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,930/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,700/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,340/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,500/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($144,912/yr), Port Jefferson ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Port Jefferson an affordable city for renters?

Port Jefferson is considered affordable for renters. At $3,165/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($144,912/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Port Jefferson falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Port Jefferson?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $127,000/year (~$61/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,165/mo in Port Jefferson. The local median household income is $144,912/yr, meaning the typical Port Jefferson household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Port Jefferson?

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

How does Port Jefferson rent compare to other cities in New York?

Port Jefferson is one of the pricier cities in New York for rent, ranking #32 out of 126 tracked cities at $3,165/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Port Jefferson?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Port Jefferson ($3,165/mo): Ronkonkoma ($2,934/mo), Port Jefferson Station ($2,979/mo).

What percentage of Port Jefferson residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 28% of Port Jefferson households are renters, while 72% are owner-occupied. Port Jefferson leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Port Jefferson rent compare to the national average?

Port Jefferson's median rent of $3,165/mo is $1,200 (61%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New York, it ranks #32 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $3,165/mo, rent takes ~26% of Port Jefferson's median household income ($144,912/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Port Jefferson 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4–10.9%
Run the Port Jefferson affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Port Jefferson
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Port Jefferson, NY

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Port Jefferson.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.