10-19-2025 8:44pm

Rent Prices Climb Across Long Island, Leaving Tenants Struggling to Keep Up

Samantha Hespos Editor

By Samantha Vogel, Editor — Long Island Daily News

October 2025

A Growing Problem

It’s getting harder — and more expensive — to rent an apartment on Long Island.

Across Nassau and Suffolk counties, monthly rents have been climbing fast, with the average two-bedroom now costing more than $2,500 a month, according to new data from Molloy University. That’s a steep jump from just a few years ago, and it’s hitting renters of all ages and incomes.

“I love living here, but it’s becoming impossible,” said Laura C. of Hicksville. “My rent went up another $300 this year. I’m working full-time, but I’m falling behind.”

Why Rents Are So High

Housing experts say it all comes down to one word: supply.

There simply aren’t enough apartments or rental homes to meet demand. Long Island has fewer multi-family buildings than most suburban areas around New York City, and strict zoning rules make new development difficult.

“We’ve got people competing for too few units,” said Mark Lewis with the Long Island Housing Coalition. “When supply is tight, prices go up — and that’s exactly what’s happening.”

The pandemic also shifted housing trends. Many New York City residents moved east looking for more space, and now, with high mortgage rates keeping potential homebuyers on the sidelines, even more people are renting longer.

Add in rising property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs — all passed down to tenants — and it’s easy to see why so many renters are stretched thin.

What It Means for Local Families

For the average Long Island household, rent is eating up a bigger chunk of the budget than ever before. Economists recommend spending no more than 30 percent of your income on housing, but many renters here are paying closer to half.

That means less money for groceries, gas, and childcare — and for some, the difficult decision to move away.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Lewis. “We’re losing young people, teachers, nurses — the very people who make our communities work.”

Can Anything Be Done?

Local officials say they’re looking for ways to ease the pressure. Ideas on the table include:

Allowing more apartments near train stations, where residents can live and commute easily.
Encouraging accessory apartments — legal basement or garage conversions — to create affordable options.
Offering tax incentives for developers who include lower-cost units in new projects.

Governor Kathy Hochul has also pushed a statewide housing plan aimed at creating hundreds of thousands of new homes over the next decade, though progress has been slow as towns debate how much density they’ll allow.

The Bottom Line

Long Island’s charm, schools, and proximity to New York City have always made it desirable — but increasingly, they come at a cost.

Rents are rising faster than wages, and for many longtime residents, that means tough choices ahead. Whether you’re a young professional trying to save for a home, or a retiree hoping to downsize, the message is the same: finding an affordable place to live on Long Island is getting harder every year.