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City Report · NY

West Hempstead

Pop. 20,648·18th most expensive in New York·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,781/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-1.1%
vs US Median
+$1,819
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
West Hempstead · $3,781
More expensive than 97% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,781/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$151,000/yr
Local median income
$164,127/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using West Hempstead's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,060
1 BR
$2,500
2 BR
$2,880
3 BR
$3,730
4 BR+
$4,000
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,880/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,781 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
$45,372/yr
At $3,781/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, -1.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

West Hempstead, NY is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 50.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
20,648
Median income
$164,127
Median age
37.5
Renters
9.4%
Age distribution
25.5%
22.3%
23.8%
16.4%
Under 1825.5%
18–3422.3%
35–5423.8%
55–6411.9%
65+16.4%
Gender
49.4%
50.6%
Male49.4%
Female50.6%
Race & ethnicity
59.4%
21.9%
White59.4%
Black10.7%
Hispanic21.9%
Asian6.6%
Other1.4%
Education (25+)
19.9%
20.4%
50.4%
No HS diploma9.3%
HS diploma19.9%
Some college20.4%
Bachelor's+50.4%
Housing tenure
90.6%
Owner90.6%
Renter9.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How West Hempstead, NY has changed in 5 years

Income
$136,425 → $164,127
up 20.3%
Population
20,729 → 20,648
down 0.4%
Renter share
8.1% → 9.4%
+1.3 pts
Bachelor's+
45.7% → 50.4%
+4.7 pts
Median age
38.3 → 37.5
-0.8 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in West Hempstead, NY now reports about $164,127, up from $136,425 in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 45.7% to 50.4%.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in West Hempstead on your salary?

At $3,781/mo, how West Hempstead rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

West Hempstead rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in West Hempstead

About renting in West Hempstead, NY

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in West Hempstead is $3,781/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,060/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,880/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,500/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,730/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($164,127/yr), West Hempstead ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is West Hempstead an affordable city for renters?

West Hempstead is considered affordable for renters. At $3,781/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($164,127/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. West Hempstead falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in West Hempstead?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $151,000/year (~$73/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,781/mo in West Hempstead. The local median household income is $164,127/yr, meaning the typical West Hempstead household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in West Hempstead?

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

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

West Hempstead is one of the pricier cities in New York for rent, ranking #18 out of 125 tracked cities at $3,781/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than West Hempstead?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than West Hempstead ($3,781/mo): Franklin Square ($3,100/mo), Rockville Centre ($3,465/mo), Mineola ($3,467/mo).

What percentage of West Hempstead residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 9.4% of West Hempstead households are renters, while 90.6% are owner-occupied. West Hempstead leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does West Hempstead rent compare to the national average?

West Hempstead's median rent of $3,781/mo is $1,819 (93%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New York, it ranks #18 out of 125 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $3,781/mo, rent takes ~28% of West Hempstead's median household income ($164,127/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

West Hempstead 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4–10.9%
Run the West Hempstead affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in West Hempstead
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near West Hempstead, NY

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