City Comparison
Yonkers vs Hempstead
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hempstead scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Yonkers
Hempstead
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yonkers is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Hempstead.
| Metric | Yonkers | Hempstead | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,150 | $2,200 | -2% |
| Groceries | $460 | $480 | -4% |
| Utilities | $195 | $210 | -7% |
| Transport | $130 | $150 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $280 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,205 | $3,320 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 135 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hempstead offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Yonkers delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Yonkers is estimated at
$68,000 vs $72,000 in Hempstead.
| Metric | Yonkers | Hempstead |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $72,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,813 idx | 57,778 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $125,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Yonkers sees 1.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Yonkers | Hempstead |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.00°F | 54.00°F |
| Summer High | 84.30°F | 82.90°F |
| Winter Low | 24.20°F | 24.80°F |
| Rainfall | 41.00 in | 45.10 in |
| Snowfall | 20.50 in | 18.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | 249 |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Yonkers scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Yonkers leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Yonkers | Hempstead |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 34 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 65.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hempstead is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Yonkers.
From a growth perspective, Yonkers is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hempstead has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Yonkers | Hempstead |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 208,535 | 793,409 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 39.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Yonkers
Advantages
Rapid 30-minute Metro-North train commute from Yonkers station to Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal.
Vibrant waterfront redevelopment featuring luxury housing, dining, and scenic Hudson River views.
Home to historic cultural attractions like the stunning Untermyer Gardens Conservancy.
Expanding economic footprint driven by major media investments, including Lionsgate Studios Yonkers.
More accessible housing and rental prices compared to adjacent New York City boroughs.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property tax burdens remain notably higher than the U.S. national average.
Traffic congestion along major regional parkways and highways during peak commuting hours.
Significant disparities in neighborhood safety and infrastructure maintenance across different city sectors.
Older housing stock in certain areas may require costly maintenance and energy-efficiency upgrades.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures requiring active municipal snow removal.
Hempstead
Advantages
Proximity to New York City via the Long Island Rail Road provides excellent commuter access.
Diverse and vibrant local community with rich cultural events and dining.
Abundant parks, recreational facilities, and proximity to Long Island's South Shore beaches.
Strong local employment sectors in education, healthcare, and professional services.
Presence of higher education institutions like Hofstra University enriching the local intellectual climate.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing expenses compared to the U.S. national average.
High property taxes across Nassau County impacting homeowners.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on major local parkways and roadways.
Competitive housing market with high demand limiting affordable options.
Higher than average utility and everyday consumer goods costs.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Yonkers
#548New York, USA
48.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,150
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
54.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
70
Hempstead
#510New York, USA
52.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
54.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
73
Business
68
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