Cost of Living in Hempstead, NY - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,034 (excluding rent), and $2,555 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,748 (excluding rent), and $4,864 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.03 $17.03

$15.03 $15.03

$25.04 $25.04

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$74.5 $74.5

$64.6 $64.6

$94.4 $94.4

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.12 $13.12

$12.11 $12.11

$15.14 $15.14

Cappuccino

$4.97 $4.97

$2.22 $2.22

$6.92 $6.92

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.51 $2.51

$1.79 $1.79

$3.06 $3.06

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

$2.05 $2.05

$3.08 $3.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.05 $7.05

$4.03 $4.03

$8.06 $8.06

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.78 $7.78

$6.81 $6.81

$9.72 $9.72

Milk (1 liter)

$1.19 $1.19

$0.81 $0.81

$1.35 $1.35

White Bread (500g)

$1.66 $1.66

$8.93 $8.93

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.34 $2.34

$15.91 $15.91

Eggs

$3.51 $3.51

$5.86 $5.86

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.77 $9.77

$8.90 $8.90

$10.70 $10.70

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.15 $10.15

$7.59 $7.59

$13.06 $13.06

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.01 $12.01

$8.74 $8.74

$22.55 $22.55

Apples (1kg)

$2.85 $2.85

$6.43 $6.43

Banana (1kg)

$1.57 $1.57

$1.08 $1.08

$4.10 $4.10

Oranges (1kg)

$1.81 $1.81

$6.67 $6.67

Tomato (1kg)

$4.89 $4.89

$3.12 $3.12

$9.56 $9.56

Potato (1kg)

$4.27 $4.27

$2.14 $2.14

$6.40 $6.40

Onion (1kg)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.45 $2.45

$6.64 $6.64

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$1.88 $1.88

$2.97 $2.97

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.24 $2.24

$1.53 $1.53

$2.95 $2.95

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.64 $13.64

$13.14 $13.14

$14.15 $14.15

Wine (Bottle)

$12.90 $12.90

$8.93 $8.93

$14.89 $14.89

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 $1.91

$1.77 $1.77

$2.19 $2.19

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.61 $3.61

$2.83 $2.83

$4.04 $4.04

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.01 $2.01

$1.26 $1.26

$2.01 $2.01

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$131 $131

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.05 $6.05

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.07 $1.07

$1.67 $1.67

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.81 $28.81

$26.05 $26.05

$34.54 $34.54

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 $0.88

$0.77 $0.77

$0.95 $0.95

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.2K $29.2K

$23.0K $23.0K

$35.5K $35.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.1K $26.1K

$25.2K $25.2K

$26.5K $26.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$149 $149

$86.2 $86.2

$253 $253

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$43.64 $43.64

$33.91 $33.91

$125 $125

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.7 $54.7

$39.33 $39.33

$73.7 $73.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.68 $42.68

$17.37 $17.37

$49.62 $49.62

Cinema Ticket

$12.92 $12.92

$11.15 $11.15

$15.20 $15.20

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,392 $1,392

$298 $298

$2,187 $2,187

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.5K $23.5K

$16.8K $16.8K

$27.3K $27.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$37.68 $37.68

$19.18 $19.18

$60.6 $60.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.88 $23.88

$9.95 $9.95

$36.81 $36.81

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.9 $87.9

$60.3 $60.3

$121 $121

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.4 $70.4

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,584 $1,584

$1,186 $1,186

$1,836 $1,836

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,342 $1,342

$992 $992

$1,487 $1,487

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,594 $2,594

$1,973 $1,973

$2,959 $2,959

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,238 $2,238

$1,712 $1,712

$2,518 $2,518

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,797 $2,797

$2,042 $2,042

$2,797 $2,797

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,297 $2,297

$1,894 $1,894

$2,297 $2,297

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.57

6.19

6.8

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 12, 2026

Hempstead, NY Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

340

Mbps

180

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Hempstead, NY - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with Manhattan or Brooklyn, Hempstead offers a more approachable base for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. For a benchmark, consider the Cost of Living in Hempstead, NY, United States. The mix of rental options, from studios to shared flats, lets you scale housing to your work schedule. Food markets and casual eateries provide affordable daily options, with cuisines reflecting the area's diversity. Transit via the LIRR connects to Manhattan without needing a car, while bus routes cover local errands. Seasonal shifts affect leisure choices and occupancy in popular areas. Tip: Test multiple neighborhoods during your first two weeks to gauge commute times and daily rhythms.

Daily life in Hempstead blends convenience and community. Housing search often starts with a mix of on-site listings, local agents, and short-term sublets near the LIRR stations, which can ease commuting to NYC. For groceries and meals, you will find budget-friendly markets, bakeries, and international grocers that keep weekly shopping flexible. Local transport includes trains, bus routes, and walkable streets in village neighborhoods; plan for occasional car use if you explore outer towns. Errands like banking, post offices, and services cluster around main roads, which helps minimize trips. Hempstead, NY, United States living cost varies by area, so prioritize transit access and safety when choosing a base. Tip: Test a few blocks on different days.

Quality of life in Hempstead comes from balance between access to city amenities and local neighborhood vibe. To budget effectively, frame your expenses around core categories: housing, food, transport, utilities, and leisure, then adapt as you test different blocks. Seek neighborhoods with good access to the LIRR for easy NYC access, plus walkable streets and safety for your work routine. Co-working spaces and cafes can become your rhythm without long commutes. Seasonality matters: summers bring outdoor markets and events, winters require warmth and heating strategies. Tip: Pair a flexible housing search with a short-term lease in multiple areas to find your preferred pace and community.