Jobs rose in southeast Queens, but rents climbed faster

The southeastern part of Queens has seen a decade of private sector growth, but new data from New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli reveals that housing costs have outpaced wage gains for many residents. The report, released on October 23, 2026, analyzes economic trends in Richmond Hill/Woodhaven and South Ozone Park/Howard Beach, corresponding to Community Districts 9 and 10.

Private jobs in these areas increased by 14.3% between 2014 and 2024, reaching a total of 45,141 positions. The number of private businesses grew by 16.2% during the same period, ending at 4,940 firms. This expansion outpaced the citywide average for business growth, which stood at 14.2%. Healthcare, specifically home health aides, led the employment increase. Leisure, hospitality, and transportation and storage also contributed to the rise, offsetting declines in education, manufacturing, and trade.

Recent trends show a sharper divide between the two neighborhoods. In 2025, total private employment in the combined areas dropped by 1.8% to 44,349 jobs. The number of businesses fell by 2.6% to 4,812, a decrease largely driven by the construction sector. Richmond Hill/Woodhaven saw its employment level fall by 6%, while South Ozone Park/Howard Beach continued to expand, adding 5.9% to its workforce. Richmond Hill/Woodhaven accounted for 64.3% of the area's total jobs in 2024, with health, transportation, storage, and construction making up 60% of that local employment.

Average annual wages paid by companies in the area rose from $42,079 in 2014 to $57,848 in 2024. By 2025, that figure reached $61,232 despite the reduction in total job openings. Household median income in the area was $88,967 in 2024, which exceeded the Queens median of $85,273 and the New York City median of $81,228. The share of households living below the federal poverty line fell from 14.6% to 12.6% over the ten-year span. However, housing expenses remain a heavy burden for tenants.

Median monthly rent, including utilities, reached $2,020 in South Ozone Park/Howard Beach in 2024, a 45.4% increase since 2014. In Richmond Hill/Woodhaven, the median rent was $1,871, up 33.4% from the 2014 level. Fifty-four percent of renter households in these districts spent at least 30% of their income on rent and utilities. Another 32.9% of renter households spent at least half of their income on housing costs. Queens President Donovan Richards Jr. noted that cost-of-living concerns, particularly housing, threaten to fracture these neighborhoods.

DiNapoli stated in a statement that there is much to celebrate in the southeast Queens communities. Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, said that understanding which sectors are expanding helps business owners direct their resources. He expressed hope that positive trends would continue with planned investments. The $19 billion renovation of John F. Kennedy International Airport is expected to further stimulate economic activity in the surrounding areas. The Queens Career Center at 168-25 Jamaica Avenue offers free job search assistance and training for residents over 18 with work authorization.