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Hempstead, New York

USA · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

52
Overall Score

Hempstead, located in Nassau County on Long Island, New York, is the largest town in New York state by population. Established in the 10th century and later settled by the English in 1643, the region blends rich colonial history with modern suburban vitality. People are drawn to Hempstead for its close-knit communities, historic landmarks, and its strategic proximity to New York City.

About New York

New York, USA, is a diverse state offering both the fast-paced, culturally rich environment of New York City and the more tranquil, naturally beautiful landscapes of upstate regions. The state's economy, the third largest in the U.S., is heavily driven by service-providing sectors, with finance, healthcare, and professional and business services being major industries, particularly in NYC. Living costs are significantly higher than the national average, especially in New York City where housing is a primary expense, though more affordable options exist upstate. The climate ranges from humid continental in upstate areas with cold, snowy winters and warm summers, to a humid subtropical climate in the New York City metropolitan area, characterized by hot, humid summers and moderately cold winters. The lifestyle varies from the constant energy and extensive cultural, dining, and career opportunities of NYC to a slower pace with abundant outdoor recreation in other parts of the state.

793,409
Population
$78K
Avg Salary
135
Cost Index
52.0
Quality Score
How this 52/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
Component Readings used Points Weight Contributes
Safety Safety score: 68 / 100 68.0 30% 20.4
Affordability Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 135.0 0.0 25% 0.0
Economy & jobs Median household income: $125,000 Income needed to live here: $72,000 Unemployment rate: 3.6% 90.0 20% 18.0
Growth Population growth rate: 0.4% Job growth rate: 1.8% 45.5 15% 6.8
Business climate assessment Business climate assessment: 68 / 100 68.0 10% 6.8
Overall score 52.0

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Tier 1 (fast) (q=52, partial — below threshold), last refreshed 16 October 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

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Quality Scores

Business
68
Livability
73
Affordability
55
Growth
69

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Hempstead is notably higher than the national average, driven primarily by housing demand, property taxes, and regional economic pressures associated with the New York metropolitan area. Everyday expenses such as groceries, utilities, and transportation also run above national norms, reflecting the broader economic landscape of Long Island.

Average Rent
$2,200/mo
Groceries
$480/mo
Transport
$150/mo
Utilities
$210/mo
Healthcare
$280/mo
Gym membership (monthly)
$60.00
Cinema ticket
$16.00
Restaurant meal (mid-range)
$25.00
Monthly groceries
$480.00
Doctor visit (without insurance)
$160.00

Salary Insights

Hempstead benefits from a diverse economy supported by healthcare, education, retail, and professional services. Major employers like local school districts, healthcare networks, and county government provide a stable base of employment. Additionally, its proximity to New York City allows many residents to participate in a robust commuter job market.

The average salary in Hempstead is $78,000 per year. You would need approximately $72,000 to live comfortably.

Top Industries

Retail Trade +1.10% Educational Services +1.50% Healthcare and Social Assistance +2.40% Finance and Insurance +1.60% Professional and Technical Services +2.00%

Climate

🌡️
54°F
Avg Temp
☀️
83°F
Summer High
❄️
25°F
Winter Low
🌧️
45.10"
Annual Rain
💧
65.00%
Humidity
🌤️
249
Sunny Days

Transport

Transportation in Hempstead is facilitated by the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), major parkways, and an extensive bus network operated by NICE. While car ownership remains common for navigating the suburbs, commuter rail lines provide efficient access into Manhattan. Walkability varies widely depending on whether you reside in a dense village center or a quieter residential tract.

34 min
Avg Commute
62.00/10
Transit Score
58.00/10
Walkability
Medium
Car Dependency

Pros & Cons

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.

Questions about Hempstead

What people ask about living in and moving to Hempstead, New York.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Urblytica benchmarks its Cost of Living Index against a United States national average baseline of 100. A score of 115 means a city is approximately 15% more expensive than the national average, while a score of 85 indicates it is 15% more affordable. This composite calculation is weighted across six primary expenditure categories: housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods.

Urblytica aggregates housing data from multiple authoritative sources, including Multiple Listing Service (MLS) feeds, municipal property tax registries, the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), and verified historical deed transactions. This multi-tier aggregation ensures precision in tracking median home values and rental rates.

A municipality must meet minimum data-density thresholds—including consistent reporting population samples from the U.S. Census and active residential or commercial real estate transaction feeds—to ensure statistical significance before a complete scoring profile is published.

When primary agencies (such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics or U.S. Census Bureau) issue historical data revisions or benchmark corrections, Urblytica's data pipeline automatically re-indexes affected historical archives to maintain longitudinal trend accuracy.

U.S. affordability calculations incorporate federal income tax brackets, state-specific income tax rates, and local municipal tax variations to evaluate the true net tax drag on median household earnings across different states and cities.

Local county and municipal property tax millage rates are factored directly into the housing component of the cost-of-living index to reflect recurring annual tax burdens for homeowners.

The platform aggregates state sales taxes alongside county and city surtaxes to measure consumer basket purchasing power parity accurately across different retail jurisdictions.

Utility calculations apply regional seasonal consumption weightings, incorporating high summer air conditioning loads in southern states and heavy winter heating demands in northern states.

The index tracks average out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, routine outpatient visit costs, and regional health insurance premium benchmarks published by federal health agencies.

Educational metrics aggregate state standardized testing benchmarks, student-to-teacher ratios, high school graduation rates, and per-pupil expenditure data published by state departments of education.

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