Riverhead

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Riverhead, NY Area Guide

Avg Rent

$2,372

Population

15,473

Renter Mix

44% Rent

Quiet coastal living in eastern Long Island.

Coastal Beach Suburb MTA Rail Service Public Transportation

Sitting at the mouth of the Peconic River on the eastern end of Long Island, Riverhead has been Suffolk County’s seat since 1727, giving it a sense of history you can feel just walking down Main Street. The walkable downtown corridor is lined with independent shops, eateries, and the Long Island Aquarium, all within easy reach of Peconic Riverfront Park. Beaches stretch in both directions, the Hamptons are just down the road, and Long Island Rail Road service keeps New York City connected without requiring a car.

The rental market here leans toward apartment communities and townhomes, with a mix of traditional units and newer builds that attract a range of renters looking for coastal access without the steep price tags of surrounding resort towns. Polish Town, a historic district within Riverhead, hosts the beloved annual Polish Town Fair, one of the most longstanding cultural celebrations on Long Island. Whether you’re drawn by the waterfront parks, the golf courses scattered across the area, or simply the slower pace that eastern Long Island delivers, Riverhead offers a rare combination of small-town character and genuine convenience.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$63,420

Average: $85,625

Education

2,268

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

7,206

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

42 Years

Largest Age Group

35-44 Years

Approximately 13% of Residents

Under 20

23%

Over 65

22%

Housing Distribution

Riverhead has more homeowners than renters.

Renters
44%
Non-Renters
56%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
12%
Other Education
88%

Rent Trends

As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Riverhead, NY is $2,128 for a studio, $2,372 for one bedroom, and $3,003 for two bedrooms. Apartment rent in Riverhead has increased by 0.1% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,372/month
735 Sq Ft
House
$17,441/month
2,121 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Riverhead, NY

Getting Around

Somewhat Walkable

Walkability

30 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

90 / 100

Fairly Bikeable

Bikeability

40 / 100

Schools

Pulaski Street Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

797 Students

Phillips Avenue School

Public

Grades K-5

655 Students

Roanoke Avenue School

Public

Grades K-5

395 Students

Riverhead Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

793 Students

Riverhead Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,927 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Preservation
  • Atlantis Marine World
  • Long Island Science Center
  • Garden of Eve Farm
  • Dwarf Pine Plains Preserve

Airports

  • Long Island MacArthur
  • Tweed/New Haven

Top Apartments in Riverhead

Houses for Rent in Riverhead

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.