Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Forest Hills, NY
Thinking of moving to Forest Hills, NY? With a population of nearly 74,000, this vibrant Queens neighborhood blends urban convenience with a welcoming community feel. Median home prices hover around $638,000, and average two-bedroom rents are about $2,350, reflecting a higher cost of living. Forest Hills boasts low violent crime rates (165 per 100K), excellent access to public transit, and a strong educational profile with over half of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Expect a diverse atmosphere, good schools, and a classic NYC climate with four true seasons.
Demographics - Forest Hills, NY
Demographics - Forest Hills, NY
Forest Hills is home to nearly 74,000 residents, offering a diverse community with over half identifying as White and 30% as Asian. The area is densely populated, has a median age of 42, and about 38% of locals speak a language other than English at home, creating a vibrant multicultural atmosphere.
Population:
73,977
Density:
34,000 per sq mi
Median Age:
42.1
Gender Ratio:
88 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
37.5%
Ethnic Composition
White:
52.0%
Black:
5.0%
Asian:
30.0%
Others:
13.0%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Forest Hills, NY?
Living in Forest Hills comes with a higher cost of living, with the median home value at $638,000 and average rents around $2,350 for a two-bedroom apartment. Utility and transportation costs are also above the national average, reflected in a cost of living index of 165.7, making it important for newcomers to budget accordingly.
Median House Value:
$638,000
Gross Rent:
$2,350
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$120
Auto Insurance:
$2,050
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$2,950
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$1,050
State Taxes:
Low:
4.0%
|
High:
10.9%
Cost Of Living Index:
165.7
Grocery:
125.0
Housing:
198.0
Utilities:
113.0
Transportation:
140.0
Health Care:
120.0
Miscellaneous:
110.0
Crime
Is Forest Hills, NY a safe place to live?
Forest Hills enjoys a relatively low crime rate for New York City, with violent crimes at just 165 per 100,000 residents and property crimes at 950 per 100,000. Residents benefit from a safe environment, with the chance of experiencing a violent crime at about 1 in 606.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
165
Property Crimes Per 100k:
950
Crime Index:
1,115
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 606
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 105
Weather
What is the weather like in Forest Hills, NY year-round?
Residents experience all four seasons, with cold winters averaging lows around 26°F and warm summers reaching highs near 85°F. The area receives about 48.5 inches of rainfall annually and enjoys sunshine more than half the year, making for a balanced climate.
Winter
Min:
26°F
Max:
39°F
Spring
Min:
45°F
Max:
67°F
Summer
Min:
67°F
Max:
85°F
Fall
Min:
50°F
Max:
70°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
48.5 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
54%
Neighbors
The neighborhood features a median household income of $87,900 and a poverty rate just over 10%. Over half of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and a large portion—more than 50%—use public transportation, with average commutes of 41 minutes.
Median Income:
$52,000
Household Income:
$87,900
Family Income:
$104,800
Per Capita Income:
$48,300
Income Male:
$58,400
Income Female:
$45,600
Poverty Rate:
10.2%
Non English Speakers:
37.5%
Rent:
$2,350
Unemployment Rate:
4.7%
Public Transport Usage:
52.4%
Commute Time:
41.0 minutes
Education
High School or Higher:
92.9%
Bachelors or More:
51.1%
Education
How are the schools in Forest Hills, NY?
Forest Hills offers strong educational opportunities, with public schools like PS 101 and JHS 157 known for favorable student-teacher ratios. The area is also close to higher education institutions such as Queens College and St. John's University, providing access to quality learning at all levels.
Public Schools
Name:
PS 101 School in the Gardens
Street:
2 Russell Pl
Phone:
718-268-7230
Students:
700
Student Teacher Ratio:
17.5
Name:
JHS 157 Stephen A. Halsey
Street:
63-55 102nd St
Phone:
718-830-4910
Students:
1,250
Student Teacher Ratio:
16.2
Private Schools
Name:
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Academy
Street:
72-55 Austin St
Phone:
718-263-2622
Students:
450
Colleges
Name:
Queens College, CUNY
City:
Flushing
State:
NY
Distance:
3 miles
Students:
19,700
Name:
St. John's University
City:
Jamaica
State:
NY
Distance:
5 miles
Students:
20,000
Healthcare
Forest Hills residents have access to quality healthcare, including major hospitals like Long Island Jewish Forest Hills and NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. With 3.2 physicians per 1,000 residents and over 93% having health insurance, the community is well-served for medical needs.
Major Hospitals
Name:
Long Island Jewish Forest Hills
Address:
102-01 66th Rd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Phone:
(718) 830-4000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst
Address:
79-01 Broadway, Elmhurst, NY 11373
Phone:
(718) 334-4000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
3.2
Health Insurance Coverage:
93.5%
Health Care Index:
79.0
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Forest Hills, NY?
The housing market in Forest Hills is competitive, with a median home price of $638,000 and an average rent of $2,350 for a two-bedroom unit. About 45% of homes are owner-occupied, and the area has seen a steady appreciation rate of nearly 5% in the past year.
Median Home Price:
$638,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$2,350
Owner Occupied Rate:
45.1%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
4.3%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
4.7%
New Construction Rate:
0.8%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.4%
DMV Information
Local DMV services are provided by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, conveniently located in nearby Jamaica, NY. Residents can handle licensing, registration, and other vehicle-related needs either in person or via the state DMV website.
State:
New York
Department:
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
168-46 91st Ave, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11432
Phone:
1-718-966-6155
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.