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City Report · NY

Southold

Pop. 6,397·8th most expensive in New York·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$4,250/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-73.8%
vs US Median
+$2,285
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Southold · $4,250
More expensive than 98% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
40% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $4,250/mo, rent takes about 40% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$170,000/yr
Local median income
$128,822/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Southold's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,740
1 BR
$2,110
2 BR
$2,440
3 BR
$3,160
4 BR+
$3,390
Research median
$2,440/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: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$51,000/yr
At $4,250/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, -73.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Southold, NY is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 54.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
6,397
Median income
$128,822
Median age
48.6
Renters
17.8%
Age distribution
23.3%
12%
19.5%
20.4%
24.8%
Under 1823.3%
18–3412%
35–5419.5%
55–6420.4%
65+24.8%
Gender
49.4%
50.6%
Male49.4%
Female50.6%
Race & ethnicity
78.9%
16.4%
White78.9%
Black0.7%
Hispanic16.4%
Asian3%
Other0.9%
Education (25+)
19.4%
18.8%
54.3%
No HS diploma7.6%
HS diploma19.4%
Some college18.8%
Bachelor's+54.3%
Housing tenure
82.2%
17.8%
Owner82.2%
Renter17.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Southold, NY has changed in 5 years

Income
$96,792 → $128,822
up 33.1%
Population
6,700 → 6,397
down 4.5%
Renter share
16.3% → 17.8%
+1.5 pts
Bachelor's+
50.9% → 54.3%
+3.4 pts
Median age
53.1 → 48.6
-4.5 yrs

Median household income grew from $96,792 to $128,822 between 2021 and 2024, a 33.1% shift. Headcount in the area went from 6,700 to 6,397 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.5% change. About 17.8% of households rent today, against 16.3% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 50.9% to 54.3%.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Southold on your salary?

At $4,250/mo, how Southold rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Southold rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Southold

About renting in Southold, NY

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Southold is $4,250/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,740/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,440/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,110/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,160/mo.

At 40% of local median household income ($128,822/yr), Southold ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Southold an affordable city for renters?

Southold is considered moderate for renters. At $4,250/mo, rent takes approximately 40% of the local median household income ($128,822/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Southold slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Southold?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $170,000/year (~$82/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $4,250/mo in Southold. The local median household income is $128,822/yr, meaning the typical Southold household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Southold?

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

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

Southold is one of the pricier cities in New York for rent, ranking #8 out of 126 tracked cities at $4,250/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Southold?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Southold ($4,250/mo): Waterford ($2,173/mo), Manorville ($2,410/mo), East Lyme ($2,574/mo).

What percentage of Southold residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 17.8% of Southold households are renters, while 82.2% are owner-occupied. Southold leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Southold rent compare to the national average?

Southold's median rent of $4,250/mo is $2,285 (116%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New York, it ranks #8 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
40%
MODERATE

At $4,250/mo, rent takes ~40% of Southold's median household income ($128,822/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Southold 40%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4–10.9%
Run the Southold affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Southold, NY

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