New Rochelle is a vibrant city of about 80,000 residents located in Westchester County, New York.
Just 20 miles north of Manhattan, it offers a mix of urban conveniences and suburban charm.
This suggests Rochelle leans more toward an urban or transient population rather than long-term residential family or leisure-based appeal.
Home Stratosphere
Home Buying Costs
For those looking to buy a home, be prepared for high prices.
As of early 2025, the median sale price for a home in New Rochelle was about $860,000.
This median price means half of homes sell for less, and half sell for more.
Newer condos and townhouses often fall in the mid-six-figure range.
Home prices in Rochelle, NY have shown strong and steady growth since a dip in 2012.
Now lets chart the year-over-year changes.
Median rent for a two-bedroom was roughly $2,200, but ranges widely depending on location and size.
Overall costs are around 57% higher than the U.S. average.
This means residents pay more for things like housing, groceries, and services compared to the national average.
New Rochelles cost of living is also about 30% higher than the New York state average.
The biggest factor is housing: homes and apartments cost significantly more here than in most U.S. cities.
Other everyday expenses like food, healthcare, and transportation are moderately above average as well.
Safety Profile
New Rochelle is generally considered a safe community, especially by national standards.
Serious crimes include major property and violent crimes.
The rates of robbery and burglary are also several times lower than the U.S. average.
Dining and Shopping
New Rochelles downtown area is bustling with restaurants, cafes, and shops.
Whether youre craving Italian, Caribbean, or seafood, youll find plenty of dining choices.
Shopping in New Rochelle ranges from small boutique stores to larger retailers.
There are local shopping centers and youre also a short drive from major malls in nearby White Plains.
The city is also proud of its library and arts scene.
From there, express trains reach Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan in as little as 30 minutes.
These buses can take you to surrounding towns, shopping centers, and even to the Bronx subway connections.
The Hutchinson River Parkway is on the citys inland side, offering an alternate north-south route for cars.
Airport Access
Traveling beyond the region is straightforward as well.
Westchester County Airport (HPN) is even closer (about a 30-minute drive) for regional flights.
These taxes fund local services like schools, city government, and county operations.
This rate includes New York States base 4% sales tax plus local county and metropolitan transit district taxes.
The exact rate you pay depends on your income level and filing status.
Most middle-income households can expect to pay somewhere around 56% to the state.
Local Economy
New Rochelles local economy is diverse and reasonably strong.
The largest employment sectors in New Rochelle are health care and education.
This certainly holds true in New Rochelle.
The citys central healthcare facility is Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital, a 242-bed community hospital located near downtown.
This hospital provides 24/7 emergency care, primary care, and a range of specialties.
Residents can receive general surgery, maternity care, and many types of treatment right in town.
Montefiore New Rochelle offers cardiac care, cancer care, and rehabilitative medicine, among other services.
Urgent care clinics handle non-life-threatening emergencies and walk-in patients for illnesses or minor injuries.
Education System
Families with children often choose New Rochelle for its education system.
The public school system has a solid reputation, known for its diversity and range of programs.
In terms of performance, the district is above average in some areas and around average in others.
These proficiency rates are roughly on par with statewide averages in New York.
The high schools graduation rate is approximately 80%.
Music and theater programs are active, and there are many clubs and activities for students to join.
New Rochelle is also somewhat unique in that it has higher education institutions right in the city.
City Parks and Recreation Areas
Within the city, New Rochelle maintains many lovely parks.
Five Islands Park is a unique 15-acre park that spans several small islands connected by footbridges.
Natural Areas and Trails
Aside from waterfront recreation, New Rochelle also has green spaces inland.
Nature Study Woods is a nearby county nature preserve with additional trails through forest and wetlands.
Parks are well-distributed across town, so most neighborhoods have a park within a short walk or drive.
Conclusion
New Rochelle provides a balanced lifestyle that appeals to many prospective residents.
