Is Forest Hills Expensive?

New York, United States

-12% vs New York avg

Living in Forest Hills, New York

Forest Hills is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in New York, with a cost of living index of 88.0 — that is -12% compared to the New York average. Ranked #23 of 30, it offers some of the lowest costs in the city. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $3,080/month, compared to a range of $2,520 in The Bronx to $4,725 in SoHo / Tribeca.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Forest Hills, housing takes up roughly 40% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $123,200 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Forest Hills

Salaries in Forest Hills reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 88.0:

After tax and deductions of 32.5% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $123,200 would be roughly $83,160/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

88.0
COLI Index
0.88x
vs City Avg
$3,080
Est. 1BR Rent
#23
of 30 Areas
32.5%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Forest Hills

Estimated annual deductions on a $66,000 salary in Forest Hills, New York (local employee).

Income Tax
15%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State + City Income Tax (NY)
10.3%
Total Deductions: 32.5%
Est. Take-Home: $44,580/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Forest Hills would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
London GBP £56,799
Dubai AED AED 330,250

Other Neighborhoods in New York

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
SoHo / Tribeca 135.0 1.35x +35%
Manhattan (Upper East Side) 130.0 1.30x +30%
West Village 128.0 1.28x +28%
Manhattan (Midtown) 125.0 1.25x +25%
Greenwich Village 125.0 1.25x +25%

View all 30 neighborhoods in New York →

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New York City Comparisons

London vs New York New York vs San Francisco New York vs Los Angeles

Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Forest Hills:

Richmond District, San Francisco Berkeley, San Francisco Bermondsey, London Nørrebro, Copenhagen Vernier, Geneva Wimbledon, London

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Forest Hills expensive in New York?

Forest Hills is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in New York. It costs about -12% less than the city average, ranking #23 out of 30 neighborhoods.

How does Forest Hills compare to the New York average?

The cost of living in Forest Hills is below the New York average. With a multiplier of 0.88x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -12% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.