Best suburbs for homebuyers to live in New York
Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.
In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.
Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in New York using data from Niche’s 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.
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#30. Greenvale, New York
– Overall Rank: 413
– Population: 1,164
– Median household income: $138,542
– Median home value: $626,300 (81% own)
– Median rent: $3,266 (19% rent)
– Top public schools: Roslyn High School (grade A+), Roslyn Middle School (grade A+), Harbor Hill School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Friends Academy (grade A+), Portledge School (grade A+), Grace Christian Academy (grade A+)
#29. Manhasset, New York
– Overall Rank: 403
– Population: 7,720
– Median household income: $156,959
– Median home value: $1,205,700 (75% own)
– Median rent: $1,910 (25% rent)
– Top public schools: Great Neck South High School (grade A+), Roslyn High School (grade A+), Manhasset Secondary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Friends Academy (grade A+), Portledge School (grade A+), The Waldorf School of Garden City (grade A+)
#28. West Nyack, New York
– Overall Rank: 400
– Population: 3,768
– Median household income: $160,020
– Median home value: $542,100 (99% own)
– Median rent: $876 (1% rent)
– Top public schools: Clarkstown South Senior High School (grade A+), Tappan Zee High School (grade A), Felix Festa Achievement Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Primoris Academy (grade A+), Hackley School (grade A+), Bergen Catholic High School (grade A+)
#27. Searingtown, New York
– Overall Rank: 399
– Population: 4,700
– Median household income: $199,524
– Median home value: $1,040,100 (97% own)
– Median rent: No data available (3% rent)
– Top public schools: Roslyn High School (grade A+), Roslyn Middle School (grade A+), Herricks High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Friends Academy (grade A+), Portledge School (grade A+), The Waldorf School of Garden City (grade A+)
#26. Greenville, New York
– Overall Rank: 389
– Population: 9,585
– Median household income: $170,909
– Median home value: $913,800 (84% own)
– Median rent: $2,411 (16% rent)
– Top public schools: Greenville School (grade A+), Edgemont Junior/Senior High School (grade A+), Seely Place School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Riverdale Country School (grade A+), Horace Mann School (grade A+), Rye Country Day School (grade A+)
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#25. Herricks, New York
– Overall Rank: 336
– Population: 4,225
– Median household income: $156,625
– Median home value: $817,700 (95% own)
– Median rent: $3,501 (5% rent)
– Top public schools: Herricks High School (grade A+), Herricks Middle School (grade A+), Center Street School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: The Waldorf School of Garden City (grade A+), Grace Christian Academy (grade A+), Long Island Lutheran Middle & High School (grade A+)
#24. Thomaston, New York
– Overall Rank: 327
– Population: 2,750
– Median household income: $134,107
– Median home value: $1,073,500 (88% own)
– Median rent: $2,576 (12% rent)
– Top public schools: Great Neck South High School (grade A+), Manhasset Secondary School (grade A+), E.M. Baker School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: The Waldorf School of Garden City (grade A+), Schechter School of Long Island (grade A), The Mary Louis Academy (grade A)
#23. Pelham Manor, New York
– Overall Rank: 322
– Population: 5,682
– Median household income: $250,001
– Median home value: $1,029,800 (92% own)
– Median rent: $1,897 (8% rent)
– Top public schools: Bronx High School of Science (grade A+), Townsend Harris High School (grade A+), Stuyvesant High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Riverdale Country School (grade A+), Horace Mann School (grade A+), Rye Country Day School (grade A+)
#22. Lake Success, New York
– Overall Rank: 321
– Population: 2,825
– Median household income: $239,000
– Median home value: $1,432,000 (94% own)
– Median rent: $3,352 (6% rent)
– Top public schools: Bronx High School of Science (grade A+), Townsend Harris High School (grade A+), Stuyvesant High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: The Waldorf School of Garden City (grade A+), The Kew-Forest School (grade A+), Grace Christian Academy (grade A+)
#21. Williamsville, New York
– Overall Rank: 313
– Population: 5,411
– Median household income: $93,730
– Median home value: $234,900 (71% own)
– Median rent: $1,257 (29% rent)
– Top public schools: Williamsville East High School (grade A+), Transit Middle School (grade A), Country Parkway Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Nichols School (grade A+), Buffalo Seminary (grade A+), The Park School of Buffalo (grade A+)
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#20. Roslyn Heights, New York
– Overall Rank: 310
– Population: 6,915
– Median household income: $195,349
– Median home value: $950,600 (93% own)
– Median rent: $2,250 (7% rent)
– Top public schools: Roslyn High School (grade A+), Roslyn Middle School (grade A+), Herricks High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Friends Academy (grade A+), Portledge School (grade A+), The Waldorf School of Garden City (grade A+)
#19. Malverne, New York
– Overall Rank: 307
– Population: 8,526
– Median household income: $158,333
– Median home value: $611,700 (95% own)
– Median rent: $1,883 (5% rent)
– Top public schools: Valley Stream Central High School (grade A+), West End School (grade A), Ps 376 (grade A)
– Top private schools: The Waldorf School of Garden City (grade A+), Lawrence Woodmere Academy (grade A+), Grace Christian Academy (grade A+)
#18. Eggertsville, New York
– Overall Rank: 296
– Population: 15,076
– Median household income: $78,184
– Median home value: $197,000 (73% own)
– Median rent: $877 (27% rent)
– Top public schools: Amherst Central High School (grade A minus), Sweet Home Senior High School (grade A minus), Amherst Middle School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Nichols School (grade A+), Buffalo Seminary (grade A+), The Park School of Buffalo (grade A+)
#17. Dix Hills, New York
– Overall Rank: 273
– Population: 24,652
– Median household income: $209,217
– Median home value: $844,600 (96% own)
– Median rent: $3,038 (4% rent)
– Top public schools: Half Hollow Hills High School West (grade A+), Half Hollow Hills High School East (grade A+), Candlewood Middle School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Saint Anthony’s High School (grade A+), Long Island Lutheran Middle & High School (grade A+), Holy Trinity Diocesan High School (grade A)
#16. Upper Nyack, New York
– Overall Rank: 255
– Population: 2,142
– Median household income: $188,229
– Median home value: $670,700 (93% own)
– Median rent: $2,433 (7% rent)
– Top public schools: Nyack Middle School (grade A), Upper Nyack School (grade A), Nyack Senior High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Hackley School (grade A+), Green Meadow Waldorf School (grade A+), The Leffell School Upper School Campus (grade A+)
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#15. Garden City, New York
– Overall Rank: 249
– Population: 22,871
– Median household income: $204,883
– Median home value: $980,600 (93% own)
– Median rent: $3,369 (7% rent)
– Top public schools: Garden City High School (grade A), Garden City Middle School (grade A), Stratford Avenue School (grade A)
– Top private schools: The Waldorf School of Garden City (grade A+), Grace Christian Academy (grade A+), Long Island Lutheran Middle & High School (grade A+)
#14. Bronxville, New York
– Overall Rank: 223
– Population: 6,570
– Median household income: $206,850
– Median home value: $1,185,700 (81% own)
– Median rent: $3,387 (19% rent)
– Top public schools: Bronxville High School (grade A+), Bronxville Middle School (grade A), Icahn Charter School 5 (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Riverdale Country School (grade A+), Horace Mann School (grade A+), French-American School of New York (grade A+)
#13. Jericho, New York
– Overall Rank: 222
– Population: 14,281
– Median household income: $171,173
– Median home value: $904,900 (83% own)
– Median rent: $2,652 (17% rent)
– Top public schools: Jericho Senior High School (grade A+), Syosset Senior High School (grade A+), Jeffrey Ratner Robert Seaman Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Friends Academy (grade A+), Portledge School (grade A+), The Waldorf School of Garden City (grade A+)
#12. Scarsdale, New York
– Overall Rank: 208
– Population: 18,061
– Median household income: $250,001
– Median home value: $1,635,400 (91% own)
– Median rent: $3,501 (9% rent)
– Top public schools: Scarsdale Senior High School (grade A+), Quaker Ridge School (grade A+), Heathcote School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Riverdale Country School (grade A+), Horace Mann School (grade A+), Rye Country Day School (grade A+)
#11. Old Bethpage, New York
– Overall Rank: 206
– Population: 5,779
– Median household income: $180,341
– Median home value: $789,200 (93% own)
– Median rent: $1,071 (7% rent)
– Top public schools: Half Hollow Hills High School East (grade A+), West Hollow Middle School (grade A+), Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Saint Anthony’s High School (grade A+), Grace Christian Academy (grade A+), Long Island Lutheran Middle & High School (grade A+)
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#10. Russell Gardens, New York
– Overall Rank: 194
– Population: 1,100
– Median household income: $165,313
– Median home value: $1,428,200 (74% own)
– Median rent: $2,070 (26% rent)
– Top public schools: Great Neck South High School (grade A+), Lakeville Elementary School (grade A+), Great Neck South Middle School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Schechter School of Long Island (grade A), The Mary Louis Academy (grade A), Chaminade High School (grade A)
#9. Hartsdale, New York
– Overall Rank: 161
– Population: 3,082
– Median household income: $157,891
– Median home value: $349,500 (87% own)
– Median rent: $1,648 (13% rent)
– Top public schools: Greenville School (grade A+), Edgemont Junior/Senior High School (grade A+), Seely Place School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Riverdale Country School (grade A+), Rye Country Day School (grade A+), French-American School of New York (grade A+)
#8. East Williston, New York
– Overall Rank: 146
– Population: 2,630
– Median household income: $225,833
– Median home value: $1,020,100 (99% own)
– Median rent: $3,501 (1% rent)
– Top public schools: Wheatley School (grade A+), Willets Road School (grade A+), North Side School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Friends Academy (grade A+), The Waldorf School of Garden City (grade A+), Saint Anthony’s High School (grade A+)
#7. Plainview, New York
– Overall Rank: 135
– Population: 26,620
– Median household income: $181,423
– Median home value: $691,400 (92% own)
– Median rent: $2,660 (8% rent)
– Top public schools: Syosset Senior High School (grade A+), Half Hollow Hills High School East (grade A+), H.B. Thompson Middle School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Friends Academy (grade A+), Portledge School (grade A+), Saint Anthony’s High School (grade A+)
#6. Syosset, New York
– Overall Rank: 108
– Population: 18,807
– Median household income: $180,297
– Median home value: $816,200 (92% own)
– Median rent: $2,718 (8% rent)
– Top public schools: Syosset Senior High School (grade A+), Village Elementary School (grade A+), H.B. Thompson Middle School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Friends Academy (grade A+), Portledge School (grade A+), Saint Anthony’s High School (grade A+)
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#5. Brighton, New York
– Overall Rank: 103
– Population: 36,819
– Median household income: $78,570
– Median home value: $236,500 (56% own)
– Median rent: $1,195 (44% rent)
– Top public schools: Brighton High School (grade A+), Pittsford Sutherland High School (grade A+), Allen Creek School (grade A)
– Top private schools: The Harley School (grade A+), Allendale Columbia School (grade A+), McQuaid Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A)
#4. Ardsley, New York
– Overall Rank: 75
– Population: 5,013
– Median household income: $243,594
– Median home value: $800,000 (80% own)
– Median rent: $3,501 (20% rent)
– Top public schools: Ardsley Middle School (grade A+), Concord Road Elementary School (grade A), Ardsley High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Riverdale Country School (grade A+), Horace Mann School (grade A+), Rye Country Day School (grade A+)
#3. Kensington, New York
– Overall Rank: 73
– Population: 1,445
– Median household income: $210,000
– Median home value: $1,414,800 (98% own)
– Median rent: $3,501 (2% rent)
– Top public schools: Great Neck South High School (grade A+), Manhasset Secondary School (grade A+), E.M. Baker School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Schechter School of Long Island (grade A), Chaminade High School (grade A), St. Mary’s College Preparatory High School (grade A)
#2. Great Neck Gardens, New York
– Overall Rank: 70
– Population: 1,139
– Median household income: $218,603
– Median home value: $1,136,600 (65% own)
– Median rent: No data available (35% rent)
– Top public schools: Great Neck South High School (grade A+), E.M. Baker School (grade A+), Great Neck North High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Schechter School of Long Island (grade A), Chaminade High School (grade A), St. Mary’s College Preparatory High School (grade A)
#1. Great Neck Plaza, New York
– Overall Rank: 26
– Population: 7,443
– Median household income: $97,022
– Median home value: $391,400 (59% own)
– Median rent: $2,263 (41% rent)
– Top public schools: Great Neck South High School (grade A+), E.M. Baker School (grade A+), Lakeville Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Schechter School of Long Island (grade A), Chaminade High School (grade A), St. Mary’s College Preparatory High School (grade A)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.
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By Stacker
