Pelham, NY vs West Hempstead, NY

Pelham, NY and West Hempstead, NY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Pelham scores 182 while West Hempstead scores 189 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Pelham is $2,288/month compared to $3,228/month in West Hempstead — a 29% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Pelham has cheaper rent, West Hempstead actually has lower median home values ($626,100 vs $891,900).

Median household income in Pelham is $179,561 compared to $160,280 in West Hempstead (+12%). Pelham offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Pelham spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 24.2% in West Hempstead.