1st Advantage MortgageIn Bronx County, New York, the typical household earns $48,676 a year and the typical rent is $1,458. Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Bronx County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- First look: Bronx County, NY
- Renting and owning in Bronx County
- Bronx County income bands
- The Bronx County job picture
- What stands out in Bronx County
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Bronx County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Bronx County borrowers
- Debt-to-income, Bronx County edition
- Four steps for Bronx County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for Bronx County residents
- Other New York guides
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Bronx County, NY
Bronx County is home to about 1,404,779 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 5th most populous of 62 county-level areas in New York. Packed into 42 square miles, that is close to 33,308 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area. The Census Bureau lists no separate place within Bronx County; its residents live in unincorporated areas covered by this county guide.
Renting and owning in Bronx County
Half of Bronx County renters pay more than $1,458 a month and half pay less; the New York midpoint is $1,621. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 60% in Bronx County, 52% statewide. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $529,500, about 10.9 times the median household income. In Bronx County, 20% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Nationally, Bronx County's $1,458 rent is 66% above the middle county.
| Housing | Bronx County | New York statewide | Bronx County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 20% | 54% | -34.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 48% | 33% | +14.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 60% | 52% | +8.0 pts |
| Vacant units | 5% | 10% | -5.5 pts |
| Median home value | $529,500 | $423,800 | 25% higher |
| Mobile homes | 0.2% | 2.1% | -2.0 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,458/mo | $1,621/mo | 10% lower |
With renters making up 80% of households, many Bronx County borrowers have no home equity to fall back on, so the cheapest written offer on an unsecured loan matters more. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Bronx County income bands
$48,676 is the median household income for Bronx County, set against $85,974 for New York.
| Yearly household income | Bronx County | Gap to New York |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 39.2% | +17.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.5% | +3.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.7% | -9.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.5% | -11.5 pts |
About 39% of households earn under $35,000, while 23% clear $100,000. Census counts 27.8% of Bronx County residents in poverty, against 14.0% across New York. Gini index for Bronx County: 0.520. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Bronx County median.
The Bronx County job picture
Education and health care (36%), professional and administrative services (10%) and retail trade (10%) lead Bronx County's job mix. The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 36% locally and 29% for New York. Unemployment in Bronx County, ACS five-year: 11.4%; New York: 6.4%. 10% of Bronx County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 49% need 45 or more.
| Where residents work | Bronx County | Difference from New York |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 35.9% | +6.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.1% | -3.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.7% | +0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.5% | +1.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.8% | +3.1 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.7% | -2.3 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Bronx County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
What stands out in Bronx County
Where Bronx County lands at the extremes of New York's county rankings:
- The share of commutes over 45 minutes: 49% in Bronx County, the highest of 62 in New York. Long drives make car repairs a common emergency; get two written quotes.
- Few New York counties match Bronx County on the share of households earning $100,000 or more: 23% here, 44% for the state, ranking the lowest of 62. Few six-figure households means smaller loans are the norm.
- On the ACS unemployment rate, Bronx County sits near the top of New York at 11.4%, the highest of 62. If work is uncertain, keep any loan small and the term short.
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
New York County is closest, 8 miles from center to center; the sixth, Nassau County, is 16 miles off. Richest neighbor: Nassau County, $146,202. Poorest: Kings County, $80,263. Bronx County: $48,676. Some neighbors are in New Jersey. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Bronx County resident follows New York rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronx County | - | $48,676 | $1,458/mo | 20% |
| New York County, NY | 8 mi | $103,931 | $2,197/mo | 25% |
| Queens County, NY | 13 mi | $86,136 | $1,956/mo | 45% |
| Bergen County, NJ | 14 mi | $124,884 | $1,914/mo | 65% |
| Hudson County, NJ | 14 mi | $91,795 | $1,894/mo | 31% |
| Kings County, NY | 16 mi | $80,263 | $1,833/mo | 29% |
| Nassau County, NY | 16 mi | $146,202 | $2,252/mo | 82% |
Bronx County residents: age, schooling, coverage
In Bronx County, 22% of adults have at least a four-year degree (40% in New York). The uninsured rate is 7.1%, against 5.1% for New York.
| Measure | Bronx County | Gap to New York | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.0 | -3.8 yrs | -5.5 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.4% | -17.8 pts | +0.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 24.6% | +12.5 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.1% | +2.1 pts | -0.7 pts |
| No vehicle | 61.1% | +31.9 pts | +55.7 pts |
| Work from home | 8.9% | -6.1 pts | +0.2 pts |
| Poverty rate | 27.8% | +13.8 pts | +14.6 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 11.4% | +5.0 pts | +7.0 pts |
| Minutes to work | Bronx County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 9.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 18.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 17.2% |
| 60+ min | 31.5% |
What the numbers mean for Bronx County borrowers
Bronx County-specific points to check:
- Keeping the car running. At 49% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Bronx County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- 28% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Rent squeeze. 60% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Debt-to-income, Bronx County edition
Here is the Bronx County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $4,056 a month: gross income for a household at the Bronx County median
- Less median rent of $1,458, which is 36% of it
- With a 36% ceiling, about $2 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Bronx County's.
Four steps for Bronx County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A New York license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Who licenses lenders for Bronx County residents
Consumer lenders serving Bronx County are licensed by the state, not the county; in New York that is the New York State Department of Financial Services. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the New York state guide for the statewide picture.
Other New York guides
The New York guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Bronx County household make?
About $48,676 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 43% below the New York median.
What do renters pay in Bronx County?
$1,458 a month at the median, about 36% of median household income.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Bronx County or elsewhere in New York, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Bronx County residents?
The New York State Department of Financial Services licenses consumer lenders in New York; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.