Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Wave Crest, NY
Thinking of moving to Wave Crest, NY? Home to about 27,000 residents, Wave Crest offers a vibrant, diverse community with close proximity to the beach and New York City amenities. The median home price is $465,000 and average rent is $1,800, with a high rate of public transit use and longer commutes averaging 46 minutes. The area features a mix of public and private schools, a major hospital nearby, and enjoys moderate crime rates and 56% sunny days—perfect for coastal living. Explore local cost of living, housing, schools, and more below to see if Wave Crest fits your lifestyle.
Demographics - Wave Crest, NY
Demographics - Wave Crest, NY
Wave Crest is a densely populated, diverse community of 27,000 residents, with a median age of 35.2 and a significant multicultural presence—44.5% Black, 18% White, 6.2% Asian, and 32% non-English speakers. The area offers a youthful, vibrant atmosphere attractive to newcomers seeking an urban, coastal lifestyle.
Population:
27,000
Density:
17,000 per sq mi
Median Age:
35.2
Gender Ratio:
92 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
32.0%
Ethnic Composition
White:
18.0%
Black:
44.5%
Asian:
6.2%
Others:
31.3%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Wave Crest, NY?
Living in Wave Crest comes with a higher cost of living index of 134.5, with the median home value at $465,000 and average rent at $1,800. Residents should budget for higher expenses in housing and transportation, but benefit from New York’s broad tax brackets and diverse amenities.
Median House Value:
$465,000
Gross Rent:
$1,800
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$145
Auto Insurance:
$2,100
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$2,390
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$770
State Taxes:
Low:
4.0%
|
High:
10.9%
Cost Of Living Index:
134.5
Grocery:
124.0
Housing:
145.0
Utilities:
116.0
Transportation:
129.0
Health Care:
117.0
Miscellaneous:
112.0
Crime
Is Wave Crest, NY a safe place to live?
Wave Crest experiences moderate crime rates, with a violent crime rate of 340 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1,670 per 100,000. Residents have a 1 in 294 chance of being affected by violent crime, making safety comparable to many coastal urban neighborhoods.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
340
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,670
Crime Index:
2,010
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 294
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 60
Weather
What is the weather like in Wave Crest, NY year-round?
The city enjoys four distinct seasons, with warm summers reaching highs of 83°F and mild winters with lows around 28°F. Residents benefit from 56% sunny days and annual rainfall near 44.5 inches, ideal for those who appreciate varied weather along the coast.
Winter
Min:
28°F
Max:
40°F
Spring
Min:
47°F
Max:
66°F
Summer
Min:
67°F
Max:
83°F
Fall
Min:
51°F
Max:
69°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
44.5 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
56%
Neighbors
Wave Crest is a working-class community with a median household income of $59,500 and a poverty rate of 20.8%. Nearly 39% of residents use public transportation, facing an average commute of 46 minutes, reflecting the neighborhood’s strong commuter culture and urban connectivity.
Median Income:
$38,800
Household Income:
$59,500
Family Income:
$62,000
Per Capita Income:
$25,900
Income Male:
$35,500
Income Female:
$33,100
Poverty Rate:
20.8%
Non English Speakers:
32.0%
Rent:
$1,800
Unemployment Rate:
7.2%
Public Transport Usage:
38.8%
Commute Time:
46.1 minutes
Education
High School or Higher:
83.5%
Bachelors or More:
24.6%
Education
How are the schools in Wave Crest, NY?
Wave Crest offers families a selection of public and private schools, such as PS/MS 43Q and St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy, with student-teacher ratios around 14:1. Higher education is close at hand, with York College and Queens College within a short drive, enriching local academic opportunities.
Public Schools
Name:
PS/MS 43Q - The School by the Sea
Street:
160 Beach 29th St
Phone:
718-327-5919
Students:
750
Student Teacher Ratio:
13.7
Name:
PS 197 - The Ocean School
Street:
825 Hicksville Rd
Phone:
718-327-1083
Students:
520
Student Teacher Ratio:
14.2
Private Schools
Name:
St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy
Street:
114-58 224th St
Phone:
718-327-1133
Students:
275
Colleges
Name:
York College, CUNY
City:
Jamaica
State:
NY
Distance:
5 miles
Students:
8,500
Name:
Queens College, CUNY
City:
Flushing
State:
NY
Distance:
14 miles
Students:
19,700
Healthcare
Residents have access to quality healthcare, including St. John's Episcopal Hospital, and benefit from a high physician density of 3.2 per 1,000 people. With nearly 90% health insurance coverage, Wave Crest supports the well-being of its diverse population.
Major Hospitals
Name:
St. John's Episcopal Hospital
Address:
327 Beach 19th St, Far Rockaway, NY 11691
Phone:
(718) 869-7000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
3.2
Health Insurance Coverage:
89.5%
Health Care Index:
77.2
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Wave Crest, NY?
The local housing market favors renters, with only 24.5% owner-occupied homes and a median home price of $465,000. Rents average $1,800 for a two-bedroom, and the area sees steady home appreciation at 4.2% annually, offering stability for both buyers and renters.
Median Home Price:
$465,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$1,800
Owner Occupied Rate:
24.5%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
6.1%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
4.2%
New Construction Rate:
0.8%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.6%
DMV Information
Wave Crest residents are served by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles office in nearby Jamaica, making vehicle registration and licensing accessible. The DMV provides comprehensive services both online and in person, supporting local transportation needs.
State:
New York
Department:
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
168-35 Rockaway Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11434
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.