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New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

Cost of living in Queens, New York

Queens County, NY

Part of the New York Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$4,616/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 2,330,124 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $2,511 54%
Federal tax $606 13%
Healthcare $480 10%
Groceries $404 9%
Energy $208 5%
State tax $202 4%
Transport $150 3%
Water $55 1%

Rent in Queens

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$2,406
per month
1 bedroom
$2,511
per month
2 bedroom
$2,780
per month
3 bedroom
$3,465
per month
4 bedroom
$3,738
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Queens

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$84,961
per year
Individual earnings
$47,085
per year
Per capita
$41,160
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Queens

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$699,200
Annual property tax
$6,130

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Queens

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$140
per month · 23.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$68
per month
Annual total
$2,496
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Queens

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.5%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Queens

State and local tax rates for New York.

State income tax
10.9%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.0%
Combined sales tax
8.5%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Queens

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
43.1 min
Drive alone
32.1%
Public transit
42.4%
Work from home
11.3%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Queens

What it costs to live in Queens each month.

Single person
$4,616
per month
  • Rent $2,511
  • Energy $208
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $404
  • Transport $150
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $606
  • State tax $202
Couple
$6,266
per month
  • Rent $2,780
  • Energy $250
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $669
  • Transport $200
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,061
  • State tax $377
Family
$9,136
per month
  • Rent $3,465
  • Energy $312
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $1,016
  • Transport $280
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,061
  • State tax $377

Frequently asked questions about Queens

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Queens?

In Queens, New York, a one-bedroom apartment averages $2,511 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,780 per month, a three-bedroom averages $3,465 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Queens?

In Queens, New York, the average household income is $84,961 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $47,085 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Queens?

The estimated cost of living in Queens, New York is approximately $4,616 per month for a single person, $6,266 for a couple, $9,136 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Queens?

The combined sales tax rate in Queens, New York is 8.52%, which includes the New York state rate of 4.00% plus an average local rate of 4.52%.

Is Queens an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Queens, New York would need approximately $4,616 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $84,961 per year ($7,080 per month). Queens has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Queens?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Queens, New York is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.5% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Queens?

The average home value in Queens, New York is $699,200, with average annual property taxes of $6,130, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Queens compare to other areas?

You can compare Queens, New York with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Queens is in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area.

Other counties in New York

Browse the full list of counties in New York, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in New York

Compare Queens with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources