Cost of Living in South Hempstead, NY

With a cost of living index of 167, South Hempstead, NY is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Living here is 67% more expensive than the national average and 55% above the New York state average of 111. South Hempstead is a small community of 3,350 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in South Hempstead's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $2,588 (96% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $595,400 (95% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 3.4x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in South Hempstead is $175,741, which is 134% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 18% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they more than offset the higher cost of living.

Everyday prices in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.