At $3,859/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within 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 $3,859 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
30% of the median household income ($164,127) is $4,103 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($4,000).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for West 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
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How West Hempstead, NY has changed in 5 years
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%.
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Can you afford rent in West Hempstead on your salary?
At $3,859/mo, how West Hempstead rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
West Hempstead rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in West Hempstead. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in West Hempstead
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in West Hempstead is $3,859/mo as of October 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in West Hempstead?
Is rent going up or down in West Hempstead?
How does West Hempstead rent compare to other cities in New York?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than West Hempstead?
At $3,859/mo, rent takes ~28% of West Hempstead's median household income ($164,127/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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