Living in Fire Island, New York
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Fire Island · Census data 2020–2024
Fire Island has 352 residents with a median age of 49.7. The median household income is $84,688 (about the same as the New York median), the median home value is $784,100, the median rent is $1,328/month.
Fire Island is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Fire Island at a glance
- Population
- 352
- Median age
- 49.7State: 39.8
- Median household income
- $84,688State: $85,974
- Median home value
- $784,100State: $423,800
- Median rent
- $1,328/moState: $1,621
- Homeowners
- 80.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26.9%
- Average commute
- 39 min
Is Fire Island a good place to live?
Pros: A poverty rate of 6.6%.
Cons: Median household income about the same as the New York median; home values 85% higher than the state median; an average commute of 39 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Fire Island
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Fire Island the median home value is $784,100, 136% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,328 per month, which is 28.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $4,001 a month in housing costs.
Fire Island median household income
The median household income in Fire Island is $84,688 and the income per person is $44,830. 6.6% of residents live below the poverty line (New York: 14%).
Housing in Fire Island: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,750
- Owner-occupied
- 80.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 19.7%
- Vacant
- 95.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1964
- Average household size
- 2.93
95.7% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Fire Island has many vacation and second homes.
Fire Island demographics
- Population
- 352
- Median age
- 49.7
- Under 18
- 16.8%
- 65 and older
- 20.2%
- Households
- 117
- Foreign-born
- 15.6%
- Veterans
- 3.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Fire Island ›
Education in Fire Island
26.9% of adults 25 and older in Fire Island have a bachelor's degree or higher (New York: 40.2%), and 21.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Fire Island
- Unemployment rate
- 0%State: 6.4%
- Average commute
- 39 minState: 33 min
- Work from home
- 9.8%
- Drive alone
- 47.4%
- Public transit
- 12.1%
- Walk to work
- 22.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 82.1%
Fire Island vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Island | 352 | $84,688 | $784,100 | $1,328 |
| Captree | 282 | $79,080 | $448,900 | — |
| West Bay Shore | 4,208 | $137,083 | $584,400 | $2,370 |
| Great River | 1,899 | $136,071 | $802,800 | $2,750 |
| East Islip | 13,573 | $147,996 | $593,200 | $2,708 |
| Brightwaters | 3,179 | $218,000 | $768,600 | $1,728 |
| Islip | 17,362 | $120,909 | $542,200 | $2,235 |
| West Islip | 26,865 | $176,281 | $614,300 | $2,765 |
| Bay Shore | 31,683 | $105,618 | $492,200 | $2,063 |
More for people moving to Fire Island
Fire Island ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Fire Island: FAQ
What is the median household income in Fire Island, NY?
The median household income in Fire Island is $84,688, about the same as the New York median of $85,974 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Fire Island?
The median home value in Fire Island is $784,100, compared with $423,800 in New York.
How much is rent in Fire Island?
The median gross rent in Fire Island is $1,328 per month, about 28.4% of household income.
Is Fire Island, NY a good place to live?
Pluses: a poverty rate of 6.6%. Minuses: median household income about the same as the New York median; home values 85% higher than the state median; an average commute of 39 minutes.
What is the median age in Fire Island?
The median age in Fire Island is 49.7 years (New York: 39.8).
How long is the commute in Fire Island?
The average commute to work in Fire Island is 39 minutes; 9.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Fire Island?
The unemployment rate in Fire Island is 0% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Fire Island?
26.9% of adults in Fire Island have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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