New Rochelle is a vibrant city of about 80,000 residents located in Westchester County, New York. Just 20 miles north of Manhattan, it offers a mix of urban conveniences and suburban charm. For those who are curious about what it’s like to live in New Rochelle – from the cost of living and housing to schools and safety – we’ve used our proprietary ranking system and data to give you lots of insight.

Demographics

College friendliness: 80.11
Family friendliness: 32.38
Young singles appeal: 60.53
Retirement friendliness: 48.75
First-time homebuyer friendliness: 11.66
Vacation home appeal: 0.00

Rochelle, NY shows strong appeal for college students and young singles, with scores above 60 for both groups. However, the town is notably less family-friendly, with a modest retirement friendliness score and extremely low suitability for first-time homebuyers or vacation properties. This suggests Rochelle leans more toward an urban or transient population rather than long-term residential family or leisure-based appeal.

Lifestyle

Luxury living: 64.30
Hip & trendy factor: 79.36
Quietness: 25.64
Nautical/boating lifestyle: 16.60
Urban sophistication: 72.80
Walkability: 85.71
Car friendliness: 50.94
Cycling friendliness: 4.13
Vibrancy/liveliness: 76.59
Public transit friendliness: 70.53

Rochelle, NY scores high on lifestyle traits associated with urban living—particularly walkability, trendiness, and vibrancy—making it ideal for those who enjoy an active, connected environment. Public transit access and urban sophistication also rate highly, while amenities for quieter, nature- or boating-oriented lifestyles lag behind. Notably, it’s not very bike-friendly and lacks serenity, reinforcing its identity as a buzzing, city-style community rather than a laid-back retreat.

Housing Options

Housing in New Rochelle is characterized by a wide variety of home types, but it is expensive compared to most places. You can find everything from elegant century-old houses on tree-lined streets to modern high-rise apartments downtown.

The city’s neighborhoods are a mosaic of different housing styles – there are stately older homes (some dating back to the 1800s), classic pre-war apartment buildings, cozy bungalows, and newly built luxury condo towers. Along the Long Island Sound waterfront, you’ll even find unique multi-million-dollar homes with water views in areas like Davenport Neck and Premium Point.

Home Buying Costs

Median house prices New ROchelle, NY — Home Stratosphere | Zillow Home Values Index

For those looking to buy a home, be prepared for high prices. As of early 2025, the median sale price for a home in New Rochelle was about $860,000. This median price means half of homes sell for less, and half sell for more.

Many single-family houses in nice neighborhoods easily cost between $700,000 and $1 million or more, especially if they are large or near the water. Newer condos and townhouses often fall in the mid-six-figure range. By comparison, in nearby White Plains (another Westchester city), the median home price was around $720,000 in the same period – so New Rochelle’s home prices are slightly higher than some neighboring areas.

Home prices in Rochelle, NY have shown strong and steady growth since a dip in 2012. From 2013 onward, prices have risen every year, with especially sharp gains from 2021 to 2024, where annual increases consistently topped 6%. The market appears resilient and increasingly competitive, with price appreciation accelerating in recent years—a signal of high demand and limited inventory. Now let’s chart the year-over-year changes.

YoY home price change, New Rochelle, NY — Home Stratosphere | Zillow Home Values Index

The most dramatic jumps occurred from 2021 through 2024, each exceeding $47,000 in annual gain, with consistent percent increases over 5%. This trend highlights a rapidly appreciating market—valuable for current homeowners and a potential challenge for first-time buyers entering the area.

Affordable Housing Options

There are more affordable options in New Rochelle such as co-operative apartments (“co-ops”) and older condo units. It’s not uncommon to find a modest co-op apartment for around $200,000, which can be a starter home for young professionals or retirees.

Renters will find many apartment complexes throughout the city, including luxury buildings downtown and smaller multifamily homes in residential areas. Median rent for a two-bedroom was roughly $2,200, but ranges widely depending on location and size.

Cost of Living

Living in New Rochelle tends to be more expensive than living in many other places. Overall costs are around 57% higher than the U.S. average. This means residents pay more for things like housing, groceries, and services compared to the national average. New Rochelle’s cost of living is also about 30% higher than the New York state average.

The biggest factor is housing: homes and apartments cost significantly more here than in most U.S. cities. A “typical” home in New Rochelle costs about $782,000, which is more than double the U.S. average home price of $338,000. Renting is also pricey – a two-bedroom apartment rents for roughly $2,180 per month, about 52% above the national average rent.

Other everyday expenses like food, healthcare, and transportation are moderately above average as well. While salaries in the area tend to be higher than the national average, newcomers should budget for these higher living costs.

Safety Profile

New Rochelle is generally considered a safe community, especially by national standards. According to recent FBI data, the city had about 152 “serious crimes” per 10,000 residents in 2022, which is well below the New York State average. Serious crimes include major property and violent crimes.

Violent incidents are relatively rare in New Rochelle – for example, there were only around 44 assaults per 100,000 people, compared to a national rate of 283 per 100,000. The rates of robbery and burglary are also several times lower than the U.S. average.

Within Westchester County, New Rochelle’s crime levels are in line with other cities: it has slightly higher violent crime than White Plains but lower property crime than White Plains. Like any city, some neighborhoods may experience more incidents than others, but overall New Rochelle’s police data and community reports show it to be a relatively secure place to live and work.

Dining and Shopping

New Rochelle’s downtown area is bustling with restaurants, cafés, and shops. New restaurants are opening almost every month, bringing diverse international cuisines that mirror the variety found in New York City. Whether you’re craving Italian, Caribbean, or seafood, you’ll find plenty of dining choices.

Shopping in New Rochelle ranges from small boutique stores to larger retailers. There are local shopping centers and you’re also a short drive from major malls in nearby White Plains.

Entertainment and Culture

For family-friendly entertainment, residents enjoy the New Roc City complex, which includes a movie theater, arcade, and bowling. The city is also proud of its library and arts scene. The New Rochelle Public Library is one of the busiest libraries in Westchester County, serving as a cultural hub with activities and events for all ages.

Adjacent to the library is Ruby Dee Park at Library Green, a lovely park that hosts seasonal festivals, outdoor concerts, and weekly summer movie nights. Throughout the year, the community comes together for events like the New Rochelle Street Fair and downtown farmer’s markets.

Arts and culture are a big part of the city’s identity – the New Rochelle Council on the Arts sponsors free summer concert series and an annual ArtsFest that showcases local artists. The city has theaters and performance spaces (such as the Ossie Davis Theater at the library) that host plays, music, and lectures.

Transportation Advantages

One of New Rochelle’s greatest advantages is its excellent transportation links, which make commuting and travel convenient. The city is served by the Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven Line, with a major station in downtown New Rochelle. From there, express trains reach Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan in as little as 30 minutes.

This quick train ride is a big draw for many residents who work in New York City – it allows you to live in a suburban environment and still have a short commute into Midtown. The same train station also serves as an Amtrak stop, connecting New Rochelle to cities like Boston and Washington, D.C. via the Northeast Corridor line.

Local Transit Options

For local travel, New Rochelle has a central transit center next to the train station that is a hub for Westchester’s Bee-Line buses. These buses can take you to surrounding towns, shopping centers, and even to the Bronx subway connections.

Major highways are easily accessible: Interstate 95 (I-95) runs through New Rochelle, providing a direct route southwest to New York City and northeast to Connecticut. The Hutchinson River Parkway is on the city’s inland side, offering an alternate north-south route for cars. Because of this highway and transit access, the average commute time for New Rochelle residents is only about 30 minutes, which is slightly faster than the New York metro area average.

Airport Access

Traveling beyond the region is straightforward as well. New Rochelle is roughly 15 miles from LaGuardia Airport and about 25 miles from JFK International Airport, two of the major New York-area airports. Westchester County Airport (HPN) is even closer (about a 30-minute drive) for regional flights.

Within the city, many daily needs are walkable, especially in the downtown core where new apartments are within walking distance of the train, shops, and eateries.

Tax Considerations

Taxes in New Rochelle are an important consideration, as they tend to be on the higher side. Residents pay several types of taxes:

Property Taxes

Homeowners in New Rochelle face high property taxes typical of Westchester County. The effective property tax rate is around 2.3% of a home’s value on average, which is more than double the U.S. average rate (~1.1%). For example, a house valued at $600,000 could have an annual property tax bill in the range of $12,000–$14,000.

Westchester County consistently has some of the highest property taxes in the nation, and New Rochelle is no exception. These taxes fund local services like schools, city government, and county operations. While steep, they are comparable to other Westchester communities (and actually slightly lower than some nearby towns with even higher rates).

Sales Tax

When you buy goods in New Rochelle, you’ll pay a combined sales tax of 8.375% on most purchases. This rate includes New York State’s base 4% sales tax plus local county and metropolitan transit district taxes. The rate in New Rochelle is similar to most of Westchester County and slightly below New York City’s 8.875% sales tax.

Income Tax

New York State income tax applies to New Rochelle residents (the city itself does not have a separate income tax). New York has a progressive state income tax ranging roughly from 4% up to 10.9% for the highest earners. The exact rate you pay depends on your income level and filing status. Most middle-income households can expect to pay somewhere around 5–6% to the state.

Unlike New York City residents, people living in New Rochelle do not pay any NYC city income tax, which is a relief for those who moved out of the five boroughs.

Local Economy

New Rochelle’s local economy is diverse and reasonably strong. The city is home to about 40,000 jobs across various industries, and many residents also commute to work in other parts of Westchester or in New York City. The largest employment sectors in New Rochelle are health care and education.

Hospitals, clinics, and other health care services employ thousands of people – Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital alone is a major employer, and there are numerous medical offices in town. Similarly, educational institutions provide many jobs: the public school district, Iona University, Monroe College, and several private schools are all significant employers in the city.

Employment and Commuting

Because of New Rochelle’s proximity to Manhattan, a considerable portion of its working population commutes out of the city for work. Many residents hold jobs in New York City’s finance, tech, and media sectors, choosing to live in New Rochelle for the suburban lifestyle while working in the city.

Westchester County’s profile shows that health care, government, and service sectors are major employers in the region, and a “significant number” of Westchester residents commute to NYC for work. This certainly holds true in New Rochelle.

The good news is that unemployment in the area is typically low (hovering around or below 5% in recent years). Many households in New Rochelle have dual incomes, and the median household income in the city is over $100,000, which is higher than the national median.

Health Care Services

When it comes to health services, New Rochelle residents have ready access to quality medical care. The city’s central healthcare facility is Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital, a 242-bed community hospital located near downtown. This hospital provides 24/7 emergency care, primary care, and a range of specialties.

As a teaching hospital, it’s affiliated with a medical school and trains new doctors, which helps ensure a high standard of care. Residents can receive general surgery, maternity care, and many types of treatment right in town. Montefiore New Rochelle offers cardiac care, cancer care, and rehabilitative medicine, among other services.

Medical Facilities

In addition to the main hospital, New Rochelle has numerous urgent care centers, clinics, and private medical practices. Urgent care clinics handle non-life-threatening emergencies and walk-in patients for illnesses or minor injuries.

There are also specialized medical offices throughout the city – residents can find local dentists, pediatricians, physical therapists, and specialist doctors without leaving New Rochelle. For any advanced or specialized treatment not available in the city, Westchester County boasts other excellent hospitals within a short drive.

Education System

Families with children often choose New Rochelle for its education system. The city is served by the City School District of New Rochelle, which operates 10 public schools (several neighborhood elementary schools, two middle schools, and New Rochelle High School). The public school system has a solid reputation, known for its diversity and range of programs.

In terms of performance, the district is above average in some areas and around average in others. According to recent data, about 50% of students in the district are proficient in math and around 46% are proficient in reading. These proficiency rates are roughly on par with statewide averages in New York. The high school’s graduation rate is approximately 80%.

School Features and Activities

One standout aspect of New Rochelle’s public schools is their diversity and extracurricular strengths. New Rochelle ranks as one of the most diverse school districts in New York (in the top 4% for diversity) and also ranks highly for athletics programs.

The high school’s sports teams are competitive, and there are extensive arts offerings as well – New Rochelle High School uniquely houses the Museum of Arts & Culture, which is the only state-chartered museum located inside a school in New York, providing students with direct exposure to arts and history exhibits. Music and theater programs are active, and there are many clubs and activities for students to join.

Private and Higher Education

In addition to public schools, New Rochelle has several private and parochial schools that are well regarded. These include Ursuline School (an all-girls Catholic school), Iona Preparatory (an all-boys Catholic high school), and Solomon Schechter School (a Jewish day school), among others.

New Rochelle is also somewhat unique in that it has higher education institutions right in the city. Iona University (formerly Iona College) is a private university known for its business and liberal arts programs, and Monroe College is another institution offering college degrees with a focus on business, technology, and culinary arts.

Parks and Waterfront Access

New Rochelle is nicknamed “the Queen City of the Sound,” and one reason is its abundance of parks, coastline, and green spaces. New Rochelle sits on the Long Island Sound and boasts 9 miles of shoreline, much of which is accessible to the public through parks and beaches.

One of the crown jewels is Glen Island Park, a 105-acre park on an island right off New Rochelle’s coast. Glen Island Park is a Westchester County park, open to the public, and is extremely popular in the summer. It features a sandy beach for swimming, picnic pavilions, boat launching, and walking paths with beautiful water views.

City Parks and Recreation Areas

Within the city, New Rochelle maintains many lovely parks. Five Islands Park is a unique 15-acre park that spans several small islands connected by footbridges. This park has picnic areas, a playground, a small beach for sunbathing, an outdoor amphitheater, and even spots for fishing.

Another favorite is Hudson Park, which has a beachfront and a bandshell for outdoor concerts – the city often hosts free summer concerts here, drawing families with lawn chairs to enjoy music by the sea. For those who like sports, Flowers (City) Park offers athletic fields, a skate park, and basketball courts in a 20-acre complex.

During the warmer months, residents can join the city’s municipal marina and enjoy boating, or visit one of several private beach and boating clubs along the shoreline.

Natural Areas and Trails

Aside from waterfront recreation, New Rochelle also has green spaces inland. The Leatherstocking Trail is a wooded hiking path that starts in New Rochelle and continues into adjacent communities – perfect for a quick nature hike or jog under tree cover. Nature Study Woods is a nearby county nature preserve with additional trails through forest and wetlands.

Parks are well-distributed across town, so most neighborhoods have a park within a short walk or drive. The city’s Parks & Recreation department offers facilities for all ages – from outdoor swimming pools in the summer to indoor community centers.

Conclusion

New Rochelle provides a balanced lifestyle that appeals to many prospective residents. It combines the advantages of suburban living – spacious parks, a sense of community, and highly regarded schools – with urban perks like diverse dining, cultural events, and a convenient commute to New York City.

While the cost of living is high compared to national averages, you get access to excellent services, low crime, and a beautiful environment by the water. This city stands out in Westchester County for its rich history, its ongoing downtown revitalization, and its welcoming, diverse population.

Many people find that the quality of life here, with safe neighborhoods, great amenities, and quick access to NYC, makes it a truly “Ideally Yours” community – as the city’s slogan suggests.

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