Discover what a $2,000 per month rental in Westchester County looks like, from the number of bedrooms to amenities.
If you’re considering a move to Westchester County, you’re in good company. Located just north of New York City, the area is known for its blend of suburban comfort and easy access to the city, along with top-rated schools, Long Island Sound beaches, green parks, and vibrant dining and cultural scenes.
However, that appeal comes at a price. According to RentHop, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Westchester is about $2,475 per month—well above the national average of $1,642.
So what can $2,000 per month (a middle ground between the Westchester and national average rent) actually get you in Westchester County? In this article, we break down what renters can expect in each of the county’s six incorporated cities, from apartment size and number of bedrooms to amenities, building types, and overall value.
(If you’re not sure what you can reasonably spend on rent and are wondering if $2,000 is doable, take your gross annual salary, divide it by 12, and multiply by 0.3. This number represents 30% of your gross monthly income, which is the maximum that many experts recommend spending on rent.)
What affects rent prices in Westchester County?
Westchester County is large—both in terms of population and total area—and rental prices can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including commute time to New York City, proximity to Metro-North stations, housing inventory, and school district reputation.
Cities with direct train access to Manhattan and newer luxury developments typically command higher rents, even for smaller apartments.
Mount Vernon
Despite its close proximity to NYC—about 30 minutes on the Metro-North—Mount Vernon is one of the more affordable cities in Westchester County.
For about $2,000 per month in Mount Vernon, you can probably find a one or two-bed/one-bath apartment between 600 and 900 square feet. Mount Vernon is densely populated with a mix of housing types, but at this price point, you’re likely looking at a unit in an older pre-war apartment building, co-op rental, or multi-family home. The unit may include:
- Heat and hot water
- Hardwood floors
- Laundry in the building
- Street or lot parking
- An older kitchen/bathroom
The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Mount Vernon is $2,175.
Peekskill
Located in northern Westchester County on the Hudson River, Peekskill is the farthest from NYC of all the cities we cover in this guide (expect a travel time of a little more than 1 hour on the Metro-North). Even if you don’t plan to travel to the city often, Peekskill’s proximity to NYC (or lack thereof) is important because it impacts what you can get for your money.
In Peekskill, you can typically expect more scenic surroundings and, occasionally, better apartment quality for your money than in other cities we’ll cover later that are much closer to NYC.
For about $2,000 per month, you’re most likely to find a studio or one-bed/one-bath rental between 400 and 800 square feet located in a walk-up apartment building or multi-family house. Amenities and other considerations include:
- Possibly updated interiors
- Heat and hot water included
- Parking possibly included
- Hardwood floors
- Older appliances
- Shared laundry
- Natural light
- Spacious bedroom
- Closet or storage space
The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Peekskill is $2,295.
Yonkers
Yonkers—the largest city in Westchester—is similar to Mount Vernon in terms of proximity to NYC and what renters with a $2,000-per-month budget can expect. A typical listing looks like:
- One bed/one bath
- 600 to 900 square feet
- Older but maintained building
- Heat and hot water included
- Hardwood floors
- Older kitchen appliances
- Shared laundry in the building
The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Yonkers is $2,550.
White Plains
Your money likely won’t go quite as far in White Plains as it will in some of the cities previously mentioned in this post. For $2,000 per month, you’re looking at a small studio between 450 and 650 square feet or an older one-bedroom in a pre-war walk-up, small multi-family home, or co-op rental.
The unit will probably feature:
- Basic finishes
- Window AC units
- Shared laundry
- Limited amenities
- Off-street parking
The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in White Plains is $2,650.
New Rochelle
New Rochelle is getting more expensive for renters—largely due to multiple new luxury developments near the train station—but you can still find a decent one-bedroom or nicer studio for about $2,000 per month.
Most units in this price range are around 550 to 750 square feet and located in an older elevator or walk-up building. Expect basic amenities, older appliances, street parking, and shared laundry in the building (not in-unit).
The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New Rochelle is $2,808.
Rye
Rye is the most expensive market of all the Westchester cities we’ve covered. It’s a wealthy coastal suburb with top-rated schools, limited rental inventory, and a heavy concentration of luxury homes rather than apartments.
With a budget of $2,000 per month, you’ll likely end up with a small studio between 350 and 550 square feet in a house conversion, older walk-up, or basement. Heat and hot water may be included, appliances will likely be older, and laundry will be shared, if available at all.
The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Rye is $2,950.
What renters should realistically expect for $2,000 per month
$2,000 per month can secure you a livable apartment in Westchester County, but you may need to compromise on size, building age, or amenities, depending on the exact location you choose.
In most cases, apartments at this price point are located in older walk-up buildings or multi-family homes rather than newer luxury developments with elevators or doormen. It’s also common to see features that may feel dated compared to what you’d find in a newer apartment complex: older appliances, window AC units, limited storage space, and shared laundry are all common.
It’s also important to keep in mind that extra costs can add up quickly. For example, parking may require an additional monthly fee, utilities aren’t always included, and some rentals may involve broker fees or income requirements (3.5x rent is common). Many rentals don’t allow pets, but if they do, expect to pay a one-time pet fee or monthly pet rent.
How to get more for your money in Westchester County
By implementing the following tips, you may be able to stretch your budget a bit further and find a rental that’s slightly more comfortable, spacious, or luxurious.
- Consider renting in a smaller town or village
- Look for apartments slightly further away from train stations
- If your move-in date is flexible, search during the winter months when competition tends to be lower
- Look for owner-managed, multi-family homes
- Prioritize older (but well-maintained) buildings over new developments
- Be flexible when it comes to amenities, like in-unit laundry
