West Hempstead 86 Exceptional
West Hempstead Livability #20 ranked city in New York#351 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in West Hempstead

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.

  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • 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.

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 West Hempstead?

Located in the state of New York, West Hempstead is a medium-sized city with a population of 20,191 people. In West Hempstead, there are 7,603 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. According to the most recent Census, 66% of West Hempstead residents are White, 13% Black and 6% Asian. Something to be aware of when living in West Hempstead are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 35 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in West Hempstead, 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. With useful information like crime, cost of living, education, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in West Hempstead and in the areas around West Hempstead is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 85 out of 100, West Hempstead is ranked #430 in the United States and #23 in New York. This is a great score, as West Hempstead ranks well in multiple categories! West Hempstead also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that West Hempstead ranks well for amenities (A+), crime (C+), education (A) and housing (A+). West Hempstead does not rank well for the following: cost of living (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

If you're living in West Hempstead, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making West Hempstead an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their West Hempstead apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Assuming that West Hempstead 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 West Hempstead. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in West Hempstead are simply unattainable. The median home price for West Hempstead homes is $877,429, which is 74.3% higher than the New York average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in West Hempstead, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.5, which is 19.6% lower than the New York average.

Best Places to Live in and Around West Hempstead

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How Do You Rate The Livability In West Hempstead?

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      West Hempstead transportation information

      Statistic West Hempstead New York National
      Average one way commute35min33min26min
      Workers who drive to work69.6%53.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.8%6.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit12.0%28.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.3%6.3%2.8%
      Working from home7.7%4.0%4.6%
      Source: The West Hempstead, 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.