You’ve seen these lists before. Best places to live in New York. Best sururbs in New York. Best counties in New York.
Etc., etc., etc.
But they all focus on major cities and towns in the Empire State, and no one pays attention to the little guy.
Well, that’s all about to change as we put together a list of the superb small towns in New York based on numbers–not opinions or hearsay.
We’ll dive right into our methodology in the next section, but first, we thought you might want to know which places in New York ranked the best based on Saturday Night Science.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 15 Best Small Towns To Live In New York For 2025
- East Williston
- Pittsford
- Saddle Rock
- Searingtown
- Skaneateles
- Brightwaters
- Russell Gardens
- Flower Hill
- Sparkill
- Glenwood Landing
- Albertson
- Eatons Neck
- Roslyn Estates
- Chappaqua
- Cold Spring Harbor
What’s the best small town in New York? East Williston is the best small town in New York based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like East Williston, chances are, you’re not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.
But for the rest of you–keep reading, and we’ll get to just why these small towns made our list.
For more reading on the Empire State check out:
- Best Places To Live In New York
- Cheapest Places To Live In New York
- Most Dangerous Places In New York
The 15 Best Small Towns In New York For 2025
1. East Williston
/10
Population: 2,627
Median Income: $236,000 (24th Best)
Median Home Value: $1,060,200 (39th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.9%
2. Pittsford
/10
Population: 1,702
Median Income: $136,429 (85th Best)
Median Home Value: $337,000 (170th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.3%
3. Saddle Rock
Population: 1,225
Median Income: $183,750 (43rd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,727,600 (15th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.0%
4. Searingtown
/10
Population: 4,786
Median Income: $215,817 (30th Best)
Median Home Value: $1,073,000 (38th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.5%
5. Skaneateles
/10
Population: 2,533
Median Income: $114,355 (127th Best)
Median Home Value: $595,100 (101st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.4%
6. Brightwaters
/10
Population: 3,185
Median Income: $203,750 (34th Best)
Median Home Value: $710,600 (78th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
7. Russell Gardens
/10
Population: 1,130
Median Income: $208,500 (33rd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,420,300 (27th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.7%
8. Flower Hill
/10
Population: 4,793
Median Income: $250,001 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $1,849,800 (13th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.4%
9. Sparkill
/10
Population: 1,376
Median Income: $212,083 (31st Best)
Median Home Value: $677,200 (86th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.0%
10. Glenwood Landing
/10
Population: 3,776
Median Income: $126,628 (105th Best)
Median Home Value: $861,000 (57th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.9%
11. Albertson
/10
Population: 4,859
Median Income: $157,690 (59th Best)
Median Home Value: $739,100 (73rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.7%
12. Eatons Neck
/10
Population: 1,158
Median Income: $245,217 (21st Best)
Median Home Value: $865,000 (55th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
13. Roslyn Estates
/10
Population: 1,536
Median Income: $250,001 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $1,818,500 (14th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.5%
14. Chappaqua
/10
Population: 3,040
Median Income: $220,139 (28th Best)
Median Home Value: $740,300 (72nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.3%
15. Cold Spring Harbor
/10
Population: 3,123
Median Income: $250,001 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $1,466,800 (24th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.1%
Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In New York
We threw a lot of criteria at this report to get the best, most complete results of the best small towns in New York possible.
Using the most recent data from the Census’s 2019-2023 American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Saturday Night Science, this is the criteria we used:
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Lowest Unemployment Rates
- Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
- Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
- Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
- Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
- Commute Times (Lower is better)
We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which there were many – 459 to be exact.
We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 459, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in New York. Top of that list — East Williston.
This is our tenth time ranking the best small places to live in New York.
Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones
We said it once, and we’ll say it again — this list: it’s just science. We did the research, crunched the numbers, and it turns out these 15 small towns in New York are the best in which to live.
And who can argue with that?
The best small towns in New York are East Williston, Pittsford, Saddle Rock, Searingtown, Skaneateles, Brightwaters, Russell Gardens, Flower Hill, Sparkill, and Glenwood Landing.
If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in New York:
- Whitehall
- Afton
- Whitney Point
For more New York reading, check out:
- Best Places To Raise A Family In New York
- Safest Places In New York According To Science
- Worst Places To Live In New York State
Best Small Towns In New York
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Median Home Value | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Williston, NY | 2,627 | $236,000 | 0.9% | |
| 2 | Pittsford, NY | 1,702 | $136,429 | 2.3% | |
| 3 | Saddle Rock, NY | 1,225 | $183,750 | 2.0% | |
| 4 | Searingtown, NY | 4,786 | $215,817 | 2.5% | |
| 5 | Skaneateles, NY | 2,533 | $114,355 | 1.4% | |
| 6 | Brightwaters, NY | 3,185 | $203,750 | 3.5% | |
| 7 | Russell Gardens, NY | 1,130 | $208,500 | 2.7% | |
| 8 | Flower Hill, NY | 4,793 | $250,001 | 3.4% | |
| 9 | Sparkill, NY | 1,376 | $212,083 | 2.0% | |
| 10 | Glenwood Landing, NY | 3,776 | $126,628 | 2.9% | |
| 11 | Albertson, NY | 4,859 | $157,690 | 1.7% | |
| 12 | Eatons Neck, NY | 1,158 | $245,217 | 0.0% | |
| 13 | Roslyn Estates, NY | 1,536 | $250,001 | 1.5% | |
| 14 | Chappaqua, NY | 3,040 | $220,139 | 3.3% | |
| 15 | Cold Spring Harbor, NY | 3,123 | $250,001 | 2.1% | |
| 16 | Great Neck Estates, NY | 2,968 | $211,875 | 1.6% | |
| 17 | Claverack-Red Mills, NY | 1,033 | $124,792 | 0.0% | |
| 18 | Glen Head, NY | 4,575 | $136,786 | 2.5% | |
| 19 | South Hempstead, NY | 3,350 | $175,741 | 1.9% | |
| 20 | Plandome, NY | 1,458 | $250,001 | 1.3% | |
| 21 | Bridgehampton, NY | 1,322 | $168,167 | 0.0% | |
| 22 | Atlantic Beach, NY | 1,327 | $161,344 | 2.3% | |
| 23 | Thornwood, NY | 4,405 | $186,635 | 0.9% | |
| 24 | Head Of The Harbor, NY | 1,378 | $250,001 | 1.1% | |
| 25 | Port Washington North, NY | 3,159 | $131,875 | 3.5% | |
| 26 | East Norwich, NY | 2,703 | $172,321 | 2.9% | |
| 27 | Baxter Estates, NY | 1,342 | $175,125 | 2.5% | |
| 28 | Gang Mills, NY | 4,369 | $118,790 | 1.7% | |
| 29 | Fayetteville, NY | 4,220 | $125,417 | 1.5% | |
| 30 | Hartsdale, NY | 3,254 | $152,619 | 1.9% | |
| 31 | Munsey Park, NY | 2,794 | $250,001 | 6.4% | |
| 32 | Sag Harbor, NY | 2,449 | $154,583 | 0.7% | |
| 33 | Lincolndale, NY | 1,235 | $200,156 | 2.5% | |
| 34 | Lake Success, NY | 2,817 | $248,750 | 3.5% | |
| 35 | Bellport, NY | 1,876 | $147,188 | 3.2% | |
| 36 | Valhalla, NY | 2,978 | $125,135 | 1.6% | |
| 37 | Old Field, NY | 1,033 | $250,001 | 3.4% | |
| 38 | Armonk, NY | 4,382 | $245,500 | 2.0% | |
| 39 | Roslyn, NY | 2,955 | $123,725 | 1.8% | |
| 40 | Katonah, NY | 2,016 | $201,806 | 0.0% | |
| 41 | Washington Mills, NY | 2,148 | $128,571 | 3.0% | |
| 42 | Victor, NY | 2,707 | $98,068 | 1.4% | |
| 43 | Red Oaks Mill, NY | 3,235 | $137,813 | 3.4% | |
| 44 | Manhasset Hills, NY | 3,789 | $192,198 | 3.3% | |
| 45 | Lloyd Harbor, NY | 3,570 | $242,434 | 0.8% | |
| 46 | Piermont, NY | 2,434 | $130,263 | 6.4% | |
| 47 | Garden City South, NY | 4,077 | $150,688 | 2.9% | |
| 48 | Clinton, NY | 1,967 | $97,868 | 2.6% | |
| 49 | West Sayville, NY | 4,944 | $154,531 | 2.8% | |
| 50 | Northeast Ithaca, NY | 2,575 | $91,667 | 3.7% | |
| 51 | Golden’s Bridge, NY | 1,549 | $240,417 | 1.8% | |
| 52 | Red Hook, NY | 2,119 | $104,022 | 2.2% | |
| 53 | New Hartford, NY | 2,054 | $80,733 | 2.6% | |
| 54 | Remsenburg-Speonk, NY | 1,559 | $175,469 | 1.1% | |
| 55 | Melrose Park, NY | 1,951 | $103,472 | 0.8% | |
| 56 | Halesite, NY | 2,348 | $153,375 | 7.6% | |
| 57 | East Ithaca, NY | 2,372 | $108,839 | 4.4% | |
| 58 | Lakeland, NY | 2,344 | $89,405 | 0.7% | |
| 59 | Thiells, NY | 4,539 | $126,250 | 2.9% | |
| 60 | Cayuga Heights, NY | 4,018 | $137,132 | 3.7% | |
| 61 | Clarence Center, NY | 2,551 | $138,761 | 4.7% | |
| 62 | Village Of The Branch, NY | 1,813 | $175,583 | 4.5% | |
| 63 | Kensington, NY | 1,462 | $217,679 | 4.4% | |
| 64 | Thomaston, NY | 2,734 | $152,206 | 3.0% | |
| 65 | North Ballston Spa, NY | 1,207 | $86,917 | 1.1% | |
| 66 | Altamont, NY | 1,767 | $105,455 | 0.9% | |
| 67 | Horseheads North, NY | 2,600 | $84,139 | 0.8% | |
| 68 | Buchanan, NY | 2,296 | $127,375 | 0.9% | |
| 69 | Cornwall-On-Hudson, NY | 3,046 | $150,288 | 0.4% | |
| 70 | Spackenkill, NY | 4,244 | $135,219 | 5.1% | |
| 71 | Bellerose, NY | 1,085 | $229,107 | 6.7% | |
| 72 | Poquott, NY | 1,047 | $191,667 | 2.4% | |
| 73 | East Atlantic Beach, NY | 1,892 | $149,559 | 8.6% | |
| 74 | Sands Point, NY | 2,725 | $250,001 | 5.4% | |
| 75 | Water Mill, NY | 2,218 | $158,250 | 7.1% | |
| 76 | Spencerport, NY | 3,660 | $79,200 | 2.8% | |
| 77 | Hewlett Harbor, NY | 1,111 | $250,001 | 6.7% | |
| 78 | West Sand Lake, NY | 3,453 | $126,595 | 3.9% | |
| 79 | Bardonia, NY | 4,022 | $123,750 | 4.6% | |
| 80 | Laurel Hollow, NY | 1,880 | $250,001 | 1.6% | |
| 81 | Pleasant Valley, NY | 1,814 | $90,250 | 1.6% | |
| 82 | West Elmira, NY | 4,691 | $107,359 | 3.7% | |
| 83 | Shenorock, NY | 1,643 | $131,250 | 6.8% | |
| 84 | Voorheesville, NY | 2,828 | $106,250 | 3.6% | |
| 85 | West Nyack, NY | 3,437 | $136,696 | 3.7% | |
| 86 | Arlington, NY | 2,522 | $82,983 | 1.9% | |
| 87 | Hawthorne, NY | 4,881 | $134,797 | 12.1% | |
| 88 | Sherrill, NY | 3,041 | $88,233 | 1.8% | |
| 89 | Bedford, NY | 2,118 | $250,001 | 3.3% | |
| 90 | Huntington Bay, NY | 1,853 | $250,001 | 6.3% | |
| 91 | Lima, NY | 2,188 | $85,469 | 2.1% | |
| 92 | North Great River, NY | 3,638 | $146,250 | 1.4% | |
| 93 | Elma Center, NY | 3,091 | $115,859 | 2.9% | |
| 94 | Grandyle Village, NY | 5,000 | $91,178 | 4.3% | |
| 95 | Lake Placid, NY | 2,159 | $49,556 | 0.8% | |
| 96 | Liverpool, NY | 2,604 | $77,629 | 2.6% | |
| 97 | Wynantskill, NY | 3,675 | $107,045 | 0.2% | |
| 98 | Locust Valley, NY | 3,591 | $137,344 | 3.2% | |
| 99 | West Bay Shore, NY | 4,199 | $132,102 | 4.3% | |
| 100 | Old Brookville, NY | 2,008 | $190,893 | 2.4% |