Queens
New York

What stands out

If you had to describe Queens County in numbers, start here: the home price against local income is among the most stretched in America (7.3 years of income), the average commute is among the longest in America (39 minutes), and the typical two-bedroom rent is among the highest in America ($1,917 a month). Within New York it ranks 4th of 62 counties for the home price against local income.

Where you are

You live in Queens County, New York. 2,360,826 people live here with you, which makes it one of the country's big urban counties. The population shrank 1.2% last year.

New York's top income-tax rate is 10.9%, and New York City residents add a city income tax of up to 3.876% on top. The state estate tax has a cliff: estates just over the exemption can owe tax on the whole amount. Social Security is not taxed and up to $20,000 of pension income is excluded. Upstate home prices and taxes look nothing like the downstate market.

Money

The typical household here brings in $82,431 a year, higher than 90% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $67,719. Unemployment runs 5.2%, higher than 91% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 39 minutes each way.

New York takes 5.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,295 a year.

Home

The median home costs $740K, pricier than 98% of American counties, about 7.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,917 a month. Property tax is 0.87% of home value, roughly $5,887 a year on that median home, higher than 50% of American counties. 45% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 88% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 15 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 81.4 years, longer than 96% of American counties. There are 7,229 active physicians in the county, about 30.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.2 of 5 stars. 8.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

83% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 30 points. 57% of eligible voters turned out. Under New York law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 55°F, highs near 63 and lows near 47, colder than 52% of American counties. About 36 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 97 out of 100, riskier than 97% of American counties; the county has had 25 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 298 Mbps down, faster than 95% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 8 breweries, 23 museums, 1 National Park Service site.