Cost of Living in Valley Stream, NY

Population 40,278 · New York · Data vintage 2023

180
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Valley Stream's housing market reflects its status as a high-earning metro: $605,000 for a typical home, 98% above the US median, paired with household incomes around $127,426 that put it in the upper third of the state.

Located 12 miles east of New York, Valley Stream falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 20% lower than New York's $752,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 198
Rent 152

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Valley Stream

The median home value in Valley Stream is $605,000 — 98% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,994/month, 52% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $127,426/year is 71% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.0%, below the national average of 4.8%. New York's top state income tax rate is 10.9% and the combined sales tax is 8.5%. The climate averages highs of 61.6°F and lows of 47.0°F, with about 25.9" of annual snowfall. Overall, Valley Stream has a cost of living index of 180 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 80% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$605,000
98% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$741,815
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,994/mo
52% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,938/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.3x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$965
1 BR
$1,051
2 BR
$1,302
3 BR
$1,619
4 BR
$1,813
Owner-occupied 79.5%
Renter-occupied 20.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,994
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,608/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
45.3 min
68% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
56.1%
Carpooled
6.9%
Public transit
20.5%
Walked
2.7%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
11.2%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 10.9%
Total Sales Tax 8.5%
State rate 4.0%
Avg local rate 4.5%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$127,426
71% above avg
Per Capita Income
$48,003
Unemployment Rate
3.0%
37% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Labor Force Participation
66.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.7%
Graduate degree 13.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42
Male median age 40.1
Female median age 43.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.6°F
Avg Low
47.0°F
Annual Precip
43.3"
Annual Snowfall
25.9"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 404249596878848276655445
Low °F 262734435362696861504032
Precip" 3.232.763.943.553.663.853.864.113.583.723.073.96
Snow" 7.58.64.30.60.00.00.00.00.00.00.44.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 31 — Good
75.3%
Good air days/yr
197
Max AQI recorded
365
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
14
Public schools
9,214
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Valley Stream, NY?

Valley Stream has a cost index of 180 (100 = national average). It is 80% above the national average.

What is average rent in Valley Stream, NY?

The median gross rent in Valley Stream is $1,994 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Valley Stream?

The median home value in Valley Stream is $605,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Valley Stream?

The median household income in Valley Stream is $127,426 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Valley Stream, NY?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Valley Stream is 8.5%. The New York state income tax top rate is 10.9%.

Is Valley Stream, NY affordable?

Valley Stream is above average in cost of living, with an index of 180 — about 80% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Valley Stream?

Valley Stream has average high temperatures of 61.6°F and average lows of 47.0°F. Annual precipitation is 43.3". Average annual snowfall is 25.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Valley Stream at a Glance

Population
40,278
Median Income
$127,426
Home Value
$605,000
Median Rent
$1,994/mo
Unemployment
3.0%
Avg High Temp
61.6°F
Sales Tax
8.5%
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