Español

Este sitio también está en español. Leer en español

City · 13,244 residents · Suffolk County, New York

St. James , New York

In St. James, a typical home is worth $652,700 and typical rent is $2,218 a month. Compared with all of Suffolk County, the typical home value is 13% higher, typical household income is 9% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 6 points higher.

WhatsApp

  • Typical home value

    $652,700

    13% above the county

    54% above New York

    • St. James
    • Suffolk
    • New York

  • Typical rent

    $2,218a month

    About the same as the county

    37% above New York

    • St. James
    • Suffolk
    • New York

  • Typical household income

    $142,368a year

    9% above the county

    66% above New York

    • St. James
    • Suffolk
    • New York

  • Households that own their home

    88%

    6 points above the county

    33 points above New York

    • St. James
    • Suffolk
    • New York

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$754,113
7.5% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$2,498 a month

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

St. James is in Suffolk County. The FHA loan limit ($1,249,125 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Suffolk County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets St. James apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. 88% of households in St. James own their home, against 82% in Suffolk County.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in St. James

What homes there are in St. James, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

In St. James, 8 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Suffolk County, 8.

Year built

In St. James, half of the homes were built before 1970; in Suffolk County, before 1970.

Much as in Suffolk County, 71% of homes in St. James have 3 bedrooms or more.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$3,746 a month

Suffolk County: $3,320 a month

Owners with a mortgage

58%

Suffolk County: 62%

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in St. James rose 42% since 2015–2019, less than in Suffolk County (46%).

Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in St. James did not change clearly, according to the Census.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureSt. JamesSuffolk CountyNew YorkUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate4.1%3.8%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.6%1.1%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate2.8%5.3%3.4%
People per household 2.612.932.492.53
Drive alone 79%72%49%69%
Carpool 4%8%6%9%
Public transit 4%5%22%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate2%6%3%
Work from home 11%12%15%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate2%2%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Households in St. James are smaller: 2.61 people on average; in Suffolk County, 2.93.

In St. James, 79% of workers drive alone to work; in Suffolk County, 72%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in St. James?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in St. James, worth $652,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 48% of the typical household income in St. James, which is $142,368 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $245,759 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Suffolk County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in St. James. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $22,845 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$5,734

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$640,877
Total interest
$922,072
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $11,022 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $3,322 a month

  • Tight

    $3,322 to $4,271 a month

  • Hard

    more than $4,271 a month

    Your payment · 48%

Compared with the typical household income in St. James ($142,368 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$5,734
Principal & interest$4,342
Property tax$832
Home insurance$272
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$289

You need at least $22,845 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

St. James and Suffolk County

St. James is in Suffolk County, New York. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

St. James's own numbers

Typical home value
$652,700
Typical monthly rent
$2,218
Typical yearly household income
$142,368
Households that own their home
88%
Effective property tax rate
1.53%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Suffolk County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$1,249,125
Conventional limit, one unit
$1,209,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$2,689
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+54%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
4.3%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Suffolk County.

Everything about Suffolk County

Buying

Buying a home in St. James

A typical home in St. James is worth $652,700: 13% above the county and 54% above New York. With the typical household income in St. James ($142,368 a year), a typical home costs 4.6 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • St. James 4.6 years
  • Suffolk 4.4 years
  • New York 4.9 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Suffolk County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Suffolk County rose 92% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Suffolk County.

Period County New York U.S.
Last year (2025) +5.4% +6.0% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +54% +52% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +92% +86% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

St. James next to Suffolk County, New York and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • St. James $652,700
  • Suffolk $578,400
  • New York $423,800
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • St. James $2,218
  • Suffolk $2,255
  • New York $1,621
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • St. James $142,368
  • Suffolk $130,686
  • New York $85,974
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
St. James next to Suffolk County and New York
Measure St. James Suffolk County New York U.S.
Typical home value $652,700 $578,400 $423,800 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $2,218 $2,255 $1,621 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $142,368 $130,686 $85,974 $80,734
Households that own their home 88% 82% 54% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $10,001 $10,001 $6,582 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.53% 1.73% 1.55% 0.94%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Suffolk County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in St. James

For a typical $652,700 home in St. James, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, St. James's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $5,734a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $22,845
    Cash to close
    $42,426
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $289

  • Conventional, 5% down $5,615a month

    Down payment
    $32,635
    Cash to close
    $52,216
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $310

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $4,641a month

    Down payment
    $130,540
    Cash to close
    $150,121
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $5,245a month

    Down payment
    $97,905
    Cash to close
    $117,486
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for St. James and for Suffolk County.

Property tax

Effective rate in St. James

1.53%of the home’s value each year

$10,001 a year for the typical owner in St. James.

  • St. James 1.53%
  • Suffolk 1.73%
  • New York 1.55%

What New York publishes Basic STAR school tax relief (New York State Department of Taxation and Finance)

Exemptions and deadlines in New York

Flood risk in Suffolk County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Suffolk County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
4.3%
21,119
Of those, with NFIP insurance
66%
County New York U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 4.3% 2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 66% 76% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in St. James

Typical rent in St. James is $2,218 a month: about the same as the county.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Suffolk County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($2,689 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $51.71 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Suffolk County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,964 $37.77 $78,560
1 bedroom $2,285 $43.94 $91,400
2 bedrooms $2,689 $51.71 $107,560
3 bedrooms $3,458 $66.50 $138,320
4 bedrooms $3,671 $70.60 $146,840

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in St. James

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). St. James is in ZIP code 11780.

For 2 bedrooms it is $2,690: $1 more than the fair market rent for Suffolk County ($2,689).

  • 11780 $2,690$3,460

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for St. James when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Free help

Help to buy or rent in St. James

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There are 10 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Suffolk County; 4 say they serve in Spanish.

An older woman smiles in front of her apartment building.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in St. James

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for St. James or Suffolk County. The ones below are statewide in New York: they work in St. James the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in New York

Housing counselors near St. James

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of St. James, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Central Islip Civic Council, Inc.

    68 Wheeler Rd, Central Islip · 6 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 3 more
    (631) 348-0669

  • Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc.

    180 Oser Ave, Hauppauge · 7 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Pre-purchase counseling
    • and 1 more
    (631) 435-4710

  • Long Island Housing Services, Incorporated

    640 Johnson Ave Ste 8, Bohemia · 7 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Homelessness services
    • and 1 more
    (631) 567-5111

Every agency in Suffolk County All counseling agencies in New York

Help in Spanish near St. James

2 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of St. James

In HUD’s record, no housing authority with an office in Suffolk County is named for St. James or Suffolk County.

13 other authorities have an office in Suffolk County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Suffolk County

These cities are also in Suffolk County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Suffolk County Housing in New York
See 72 more cities in Suffolk County, with prices and rents

Every city has its own page with prices, rents and help.

Nearby cities

The cities closest to St. James, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Suffolk County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in St. James.

All guides
A mother holds her laughing daughter on a grey sofa.

Questions

Housing questions about St. James

Short answers with the numbers for St. James and all of Suffolk County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in St. James?

The typical home value in St. James is $652,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Suffolk County it is $578,400.

How much does it cost to rent in St. James?

Typical rent in St. James is $2,218 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Suffolk County is $2,689.

What is the FHA loan limit in St. James?

St. James uses the FHA limit for all of Suffolk County (2026): $1,249,125 for a one-unit home and $2,402,625 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in St. James?

The typical homeowner in St. James pays $10,001 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.53% of the home’s value; in Suffolk County, the rate is 1.73%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in St. James?

There are 10 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Suffolk County. 4 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).