Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Long Island City, NY
Thinking about making Long Island City, NY your new home? With a vibrant population of 68,000 and a median home price of $1,000,000, LIC offers a lively, urban lifestyle with easy access to Manhattan. Residents enjoy high educational attainment (over 53% with a bachelor's or higher), convenient public transit, and a median rent of $3,600. While the cost of living is high, you'll find a dynamic community, walkable amenities, reasonable commute times, and great local schools—plus more sunny days than you might expect for NYC!
Demographics - Long Island City, NY
Demographics - Long Island City, NY
Long Island City is home to about 68,000 residents, with a median age of 34.2 and a diverse mix that includes significant White, Asian, Black, and other communities. The neighborhood is densely populated and nearly a third of residents speak a language other than English at home, reflecting its multicultural character.
Population:
68,000
Density:
19,500 per sq mi
Median Age:
34.2
Gender Ratio:
97 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
34.0%
Ethnic Composition
White:
42.5%
Black:
10.2%
Asian:
25.5%
Others:
21.8%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Long Island City, NY?
The cost of living in Long Island City is notably high, with a median home value around $1,000,000 and average rents near $3,600 per month. Residents also face above-average costs for groceries, utilities, and transportation, making it one of the pricier areas in New York City, but many find the urban amenities and Manhattan proximity worth the investment.
Median House Value:
$1,000,000
Gross Rent:
$3,600
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$160
Auto Insurance:
$2,250
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$4,850
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$1,250
State Taxes:
Low:
4.0%
|
High:
10.9%
Cost Of Living Index:
168.5
Grocery:
128.0
Housing:
220.0
Utilities:
116.0
Transportation:
163.0
Health Care:
121.0
Miscellaneous:
119.0
Crime
Is Long Island City, NY a safe place to live?
Long Island City experiences moderate crime rates, with about 384 violent crimes and 1,425 property crimes per 100,000 people annually. While the chance of property crime is about 1 in 70, safety measures and active community presence help maintain a secure environment for residents.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
384
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,425
Crime Index:
1,809
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 260
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 70
Weather
What is the weather like in Long Island City, NY year-round?
The area features four distinct seasons, with cold winters averaging lows of 27°F, warm summers reaching up to 87°F, and around 46 inches of annual rainfall. Long Island City enjoys a pleasant climate with about 58% sunny days, making it inviting for outdoor activities much of the year.
Winter
Min:
27°F
Max:
41°F
Spring
Min:
46°F
Max:
68°F
Summer
Min:
68°F
Max:
87°F
Fall
Min:
51°F
Max:
71°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
46.3 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
58%
Neighbors
Residents of Long Island City typically enjoy a household income of $105,800 and a strong educational background, with over half holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The community is diverse, with a notable percentage commuting via public transit and a median commute time of just over 35 minutes.
Median Income:
$53,000
Household Income:
$105,800
Family Income:
$118,500
Per Capita Income:
$57,500
Income Male:
$62,000
Income Female:
$53,500
Poverty Rate:
13.8%
Non English Speakers:
34.0%
Rent:
$3,600
Unemployment Rate:
5.2%
Public Transport Usage:
55.8%
Commute Time:
35.2 minutes
Education
High School or Higher:
88.5%
Bachelors or More:
53.1%
Education
How are the schools in Long Island City, NY?
Education in Long Island City is robust, featuring reputable public and private schools with reasonable student-teacher ratios, as well as higher education institutions like LaGuardia Community College and CUNY Law School right in the neighborhood. The community places a strong emphasis on learning, with over 53% of adults holding at least a bachelor’s degree.
Public Schools
Name:
PS/IS 78Q The Robert F. Wagner School
Street:
48-09 Center Blvd
Phone:
718-392-5402
Students:
920
Student Teacher Ratio:
14.5
Name:
Academy for Careers in Television and Film
Street:
1-50 51st Ave
Phone:
718-609-9099
Students:
670
Student Teacher Ratio:
15.2
Private Schools
Name:
St. Raphael Catholic Academy
Street:
35-25 Greenpoint Ave
Phone:
718-729-7204
Students:
350
Colleges
Name:
LaGuardia Community College
City:
Long Island City
State:
NY
Distance:
0 miles
Students:
17,000
Name:
CUNY Law School
City:
Long Island City
State:
NY
Distance:
0 miles
Students:
600
Healthcare
Long Island City offers convenient access to major hospitals like Mount Sinai Queens and NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, ensuring comprehensive emergency and general care. Most residents are covered by health insurance, and the city boasts a high physician-to-resident ratio, supporting strong local healthcare services.
Major Hospitals
Name:
Mount Sinai Queens
Address:
25-10 30th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11102
Phone:
(718) 932-1000
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:
3.1
Health Insurance Coverage:
91.5%
Health Care Index:
77.8
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Long Island City, NY?
The local housing market is competitive, with median home prices at $1,000,000 and average rents for a two-bedroom around $3,900. Home ownership is less common, with a majority of residents renting, and the area continues to see steady appreciation and new construction.
Median Home Price:
$1,000,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$3,900
Owner Occupied Rate:
23.5%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
4.8%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
3.4%
New Construction Rate:
2.3%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.3%
DMV Information
Residents can conveniently access DMV services at the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles office located on 47th Ave in Long Island City, with full support for licensing, registration, and more. Official information and online services are available through the New York DMV website.
State:
New York
Department:
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
31-00 47th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101
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.