Valley Stream 87 Exceptional
Valley Stream Livability #13 ranked city in New York#301 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Valley Stream

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

What's it like Living in Valley Stream?

Valley Stream, New York is a medium-sized city with a population of 38,754 residents. With a population density of 11,137 people per square mile, Valley Stream is well above the nation's average density level. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Valley Stream entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 42 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Valley Stream, New York. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, commute, health & safety, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Valley Stream and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Valley Stream to New York and the national average.

Valley Stream, NY receives 86/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #16 in New York and #355 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Valley Stream could be a great choice! Valley Stream has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we explore each of the categories on their own, we see that Valley Stream ranks well for amenities (A+), education (A) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Valley Stream. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: cost of living (F).

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Valley Stream, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Valley Stream undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location.

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Valley Stream have an average test score of 66%, which is well above the US average.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Valley Stream has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Assuming that Valley Stream meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Valley Stream. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Valley Stream are simply unattainable. The median home price for Valley Stream homes is $811,004, which is 61.1% higher than the New York average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Valley Stream, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.6, which is 17.9% lower than the New York average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Valley Stream

See all the best places to live around Valley Stream

How Do You Rate The Livability In Valley Stream?

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Compare Valley Stream, NY Livability

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      Valley Stream transportation information

      Statistic Valley Stream New York National
      Average one way commute42min33min26min
      Workers who drive to work62.4%53.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.7%6.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit20.9%28.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.7%6.3%2.8%
      Working from home5.8%4.0%4.6%
      Source: The Valley Stream, NY data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.