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City Report · NY

Valley Stream

Pop. 40,315·50th most expensive in New York·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,967/mo
Year-over-Year
-1.0%
Month-over-Month
-0.9%
vs US Median
+$1,005
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Valley Stream · $2,967
More expensive than 90% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,967/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$119,000/yr
Local median income
$133,190/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Valley Stream's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,935
1 BR
$2,150
2 BR
$2,450
3 BR
$3,175
4 BR+
$3,405
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,450/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,967 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$35,604/yr
At $2,967/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 1.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-1.0% YoY, -0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Valley Stream, NY is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 39.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
40,315
Median income
$133,190
Median age
40.9
Renters
21.3%
Age distribution
19.5%
22.8%
26.5%
14.1%
17.1%
Under 1819.5%
18–3422.8%
35–5426.5%
55–6414.1%
65+17.1%
Gender
47.6%
52.4%
Male47.6%
Female52.4%
Race & ethnicity
26.4%
26.5%
23.6%
19.7%
White26.4%
Black26.5%
Hispanic23.6%
Asian19.7%
Other3.9%
Education (25+)
24.4%
25.3%
39.7%
No HS diploma10.6%
HS diploma24.4%
Some college25.3%
Bachelor's+39.7%
Housing tenure
78.7%
21.3%
Owner78.7%
Renter21.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Valley Stream, NY has changed in 5 years

Income
$115,602 → $133,190
up 15.2%
Population
40,304 → 40,315
up 0.0%
Renter share
18.7% → 21.3%
+2.6 pts
Bachelor's+
41.2% → 39.7%
-1.5 pts
Median age
42 → 40.9
-1.1 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $115,602 in 2021 to $133,190 more recently. About 21.3% of households rent today, against 18.7% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Valley Stream

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View Valley Stream rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Valley Stream on your salary?

At $2,967/mo, how Valley Stream rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Valley Stream rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Valley Stream

About renting in Valley Stream, NY

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Valley Stream is $2,967/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,935/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,450/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,150/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,175/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($133,190/yr), Valley Stream ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Valley Stream an affordable city for renters?

Valley Stream is considered affordable for renters. At $2,967/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($133,190/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Valley Stream falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Valley Stream?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $119,000/year (~$57/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,967/mo in Valley Stream. The local median household income is $133,190/yr, meaning the typical Valley Stream household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Valley Stream?

Rent in Valley Stream has decreased 1.0% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Valley Stream neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Valley Stream are 11581 ($2,953/mo), and 11580 ($3,127/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Valley Stream is $2,967/mo.

How does Valley Stream rent compare to other cities in New York?

Valley Stream is middle-of-the-pack for New York for rent, ranking #50 out of 125 tracked cities at $2,967/mo.

What percentage of Valley Stream residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 21.3% of Valley Stream households are renters, while 78.7% are owner-occupied. Valley Stream leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Valley Stream rent compare to the national average?

Valley Stream's median rent of $2,967/mo is $1,005 (51%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New York, it ranks #50 out of 125 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,967/mo, rent takes ~27% of Valley Stream's median household income ($133,190/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Valley Stream 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4–10.9%
Run the Valley Stream affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Valley Stream
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Valley Stream, NY

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