Best suburbs to live in New York based on a variety of factors including median home prices for home purchase insights
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
hey Jon Dykstra, wondering if any of these suburbs got like, a good fashion scene or they all just typical sleepy towns? looking at places like Great Neck Plaza. thanks!
Great Neck Plaza actually has some chic boutiques and occasional fashion pop-ups. Not downtown NYC, but not too shabby.
lol, suburbs and fashion? good luck finding anything more exciting than a mall.
hey Jon Dykstra, just read ur article and wondering if the suburbs listed are good for ppl in their 20s? looking for a vibrant spot with lots to do. thx!
Really appreciate this list, Jon Dykstra! Been thinking about moving to one of these places for the kids. Great Neck Plaza sounds perfect with its safety and good schools.
I appreciate the insights provided in this list. It has been quite helpful in narrowing down my search for a peaceful suburb to relocate to. Great work!
not sure if suburbs are for me but this list kinda makes them sound not too bad? greenvale looks chill.
always thought suburbs were boring but some of these places mentioned got me curious, might check out searingtown or pelham manor for the weekend vibes.
honestly, how accurate are these rankings? feels like some suburbs were overlooked. gotta say not convinced…
Great Neck Plaza at number 1? Did necks get longer there cause of all the looking down on other suburbs? 😄 Just kiddin’, but seriously, great list!
I wonder how the internet connectivity and tech community is in these suburbs, especially for work-from-home folks like me considering Dix Hills or Syosset.
Delighted to see Pelham Manor on the list! Visited a friend there and fell in love with the community gardens and neighborly atmosphere.
Quite an interesting selection of suburbs. I’d be curious to know the historical growth rates of these areas. It could provide additional insights into their current rankings. Has there been consideration of historical data in your analysis?
any of these suburbs got like, secret societies or spooky tales? asking for a friend who digs that kinda stuff, especially in places like old bethpage or kensington.
So, are we saying Great Neck Plaza is the best place for investment or for living? Cause there’s a difference, you know. Interested in seeing some ROI numbers if you’ve got ’em.
trying to find a suburb that wont break the bank but still close to the city. any of these spots good for students?
looking for the quietest spot on your list noise is a big no for me zz
This article offers a good starting point for anyone interested in the New York suburban real estate market. Would be beneficial to pair these rankings with economic forecasts.
Do any of these suburbs have a noteworthy food scene or farmers markets? Love exploring new flavors in places like Scarsdale or Garden City!
so these are supposedly the ‘best’ suburbs huh? what makes them any better than the rest, or is it just hype? especially curious about this great neck plaza
suburbs are just glorified loneliness spread out with trees. this list won’t change that, no offense to the writer.
Jon Dykstra, could you please provide more detail on how these suburbs were ranked? Were there specific criteria like safety, schools, or community activities taken into account?
great question! was wondering the same. hoping Jon can shed some light on this.
doubt we’ll get a clear answer, rankings like these always miss the mark somehow