While New York City looms large in the minds of people looking to move to New York, the best places to live in New York have a leg up on the Big Apple.
With the bigger is better lifestyle in New York, we had to find the best places to live in New York.
We used Saturday Night Science to compare factors like home prices, schools, and above average employment rates for the 164 places in New York over 5,000 people. The data comes from the Census, FBI, and Zillow.
So grab yourself a cup of diner coffee and a slice of pizza, and read on to find the best places to live in New York.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Map | Methodology | Summary
The 10 Best Places To Live In New York For 2025
What city is the best place to live in New York for 2025? The best place to live in New York is Malverne.
If you live anywhere near New York’s Nassau County, consider yourself lucky. The star on The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has nothing on these places.
For more reading, check out:
The 10 Best Places To Live In New York For 2025
| Stat | Malverne | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,496 | 19,872,319 |
| Rank Last Year | 2 | – |
| Median Home Value | $637,300 | $403,000 |
| Median Income | $146,585 | $84,578 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.9% | 6.2% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0092 | 0.0210 |
More on Malverne: Data
Malverne is a village of 8,496 in the Town of Hempstead. Malverne’s population is on the older end of the scale for this list, with a median age of 45, so this might be a better choice for someone who doesn’t prioritize constant activity and just wants to live in a friendly, relaxing community. It also might be for someone who appreciates a good deal, because despite being under an hour from all the places listed so far, Malverne has the lowest home prices of the bunch. And with folks still earning $146,585/year, Malverne’s a close second for lowest cost of living among the places we’re covering here.
Unemployment in Malverne is also a super low 1.9%, which is good enough to be the 4th lowest in New York. One more thing for people who value security: Malverne is among the safest places in New York, so you won’t have to run back home if you forget to lock the door here.
| Stat | Kings Point | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,614 | 19,872,319 |
| Rank Last Year | 1 | – |
| Median Home Value | $1,917,200 | $403,000 |
| Median Income | $185,811 | $84,578 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% | 6.2% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0092 | 0.0210 |
More on Kings Point: Data
Kings Point sits on a throne as the city with the highest home prices in New York. And with home prices that high, it means everyone is knocking down the the door to live. Why? Because it’s the 2nd best place to live in New York based on the most recent data.
Located on Manhasset Bay in Nassau County on the northside of Long Island, Kings Point is a gem of a place to live. Besides the huge demand for housing, the town also ranks well for safety as crime rates are in the lowest 10% of the state. And Great Neck North High School, the public high school for the town, gets a solid A rating from Niche as one the better in the state.
In terms of things to do, the town has an abundance of parks like Steppingstone Park on the water and Kings Point Park in the middle of town. And being a suburb of New York City, there’s always the option to spend the afternoon in Brooklyn or Manhattan. A lot of people would argue it’s better to live this close to the City than in it.
| Stat | Floral Park | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,025 | 19,872,319 |
| Rank Last Year | 3 | – |
| Median Home Value | $754,300 | $403,000 |
| Median Income | $150,350 | $84,578 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 6.2% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0092 | 0.0210 |
More on Floral Park: Data
Floral Park is a village of 16,025 located in Long Island’s Nassau County. Floral Park doesn’t need to be told it’s an awesome spot; its motto is “A Great Place to Live,” after all. Schools in Floral Park got an 8/10 average rating on GreatSchools, so you can rest assured that your kids are getting off on the right foot here.
Speaking of youth, Floral Park’s median age is 43, which is on the lower end of the spectrum for this list. If you combine that with the village’s status as the 14th most densely populated place in New York, you can see that Floral Park is one of the more dynamic places that we’re covering here. And with a poverty rate well below the 3% mark, Floral Park makes sure all its residents are along for the ride.
As a bonus, Floral Park is only fifteen minutes from JFK Airport, so far off friends and family will have a super easy time coming for a visit.
| Stat | Bayville | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,744 | 19,872,319 |
| Rank Last Year | 12 | – |
| Median Home Value | $670,500 | $403,000 |
| Median Income | $143,571 | $84,578 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.2% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0092 | 0.0210 |
More on Bayville: Data
| Stat | Rye | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,410 | 19,872,319 |
| Rank Last Year | 6 | – |
| Median Home Value | $1,785,400 | $403,000 |
| Median Income | $237,727 | $84,578 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.2% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0043 | 0.0210 |
More on Rye: Data
We’re taking our first foray out of Long Island to reach the 5th best place to call home in New York, Rye. We named Rye the best place for families in New York, and a lot of those same factors land Rye here on this list. For example, GreatSchools gave Rye’s public schools a stellar 9/10 rating. Rye also has the 2nd lowest overall crime rate in New York, with crime being about 85% less frequent here than the national average.
As far as quality of life goes, Rye residents enjoy the a median household income of $237,727/year, the 5th highest in the state. That helps explain why 98.2% of folks here have health insurance.
Rye is located just 15 minutes outside of White Plains and New Rochelle.
| Stat | Farmingdale | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,450 | 19,872,319 |
| Rank Last Year | 9 | – |
| Median Home Value | $530,100 | $403,000 |
| Median Income | $134,037 | $84,578 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.2% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0092 | 0.0210 |
More on Farmingdale: Data
Farmingdale is the #6 top choice for living in New York, blending suburban appeal with an optimal location within Nassau County, Long Island. With easy access to New York City via the Long Island Rail Road, Farmingdale is an excellent spot for those seeking to work in NYC, but live outside it.
The local economy is solid, with a 134,037 median income supporting home prices of $530,100. Farmingdale values education, with 53% of adults holding higher education degrees. Bethpage State Park is right around the corner.
| Stat | Massapequa Park | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,985 | 19,872,319 |
| Rank Last Year | 8 | – |
| Median Home Value | $626,300 | $403,000 |
| Median Income | $170,470 | $84,578 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.2% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0092 | 0.0210 |
More on Massapequa Park: Data
We’re going down to Long Island’s South Shore to reach our 7th best place to call home in New York, Massapequa Park. While Massapequa Park is fairly expensive, its combination of a lower than average median home price (for the region) and higher income of $170,470/year actually gives it the lowest cost of living of places you’ll see on this list.
Affordability is an especially great thing when it reaches all levels of a community. That’s what happens in Massapequa Park, where the poverty rate is a measly 5.0%, the 33rd lowest in all of New York. A strong economy is great and all, but we think what Massapequa Park residents love best about their home is having the world-famous Jones Beach right in their neighborhood. It’s hard to assign a statistical value to that sort of perk though!
| Stat | Rockville Centre | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,770 | 19,872,319 |
| Rank Last Year | 10 | – |
| Median Home Value | $796,100 | $403,000 |
| Median Income | $144,516 | $84,578 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.2% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0092 | 0.0210 |
More on Rockville Centre: Data
A neighbor of Malverne, Rockville Centre is a somewhat urbanized village of 25,770, making it the most populous of the places listed here. Rockville Centre doesn’t stand out as the 8th place thanks to any one statistic; across the board strong numbers land it on this list. For example, 99.0% of residents have health insurance, the unemployment and poverty levels are around the top 25 statewide, as well as home prices and household incomes.
The educational system in Rockville Centre is also top-quality, with GreatSchools giving an average score of 8/10 for local public schools. And schools are more than just about learning here, because at Molloy College’s Madison Theatre, big name acts put on shows all the time.
| Stat | East Rockaway | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,064 | 19,872,319 |
| Rank Last Year | 19 | – |
| Median Home Value | $623,500 | $403,000 |
| Median Income | $112,415 | $84,578 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.9% | 6.2% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0092 | 0.0210 |
More on East Rockaway: Data
| Stat | Williston Park | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,508 | 19,872,319 |
| Rank Last Year | 7 | – |
| Median Home Value | $731,700 | $403,000 |
| Median Income | $152,656 | $84,578 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.2% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0092 | 0.0210 |
More on Williston Park: Data
Wrapping up our list of best places to live in New York is Williston Park, another village proudly representing the Town of Hempstead. The poverty level in Williston Park is under 3%, so you know people are generally doing alright for themselves here. Williston Park is also the 12th most densely populated place in New York, and the most densely populated among cities on this list. That means there’s plenty of action to keep you occupied here. Like signing up for some classes at Hofstra University or just going out for a night of high culture at the school’s art museum.
Williston Park’s inclusion on this list means that 90% of the best places to live in New York are on the western end of Long Island, so that’s a good place to start looking if you’re planning a move soon.
Mapping The Best And Worst Places To Live in New York
Best Places To Live In New York Size Requirement
Before we even started to collect data on the best places to live in New York, we had to answer a tough question: Is it fair to pit Albany, with a population of 100,081, against places with a population of 18?
We firmly decided no, that just isn’t fair.
So, to create our ranking, we broke the best places to live into three tiers:
- Cities — Populations over 5,000
- Towns — Populations between 1,000 and 5,000
- Small Towns — Populations below 1,000
This filter left 164 cities, 465 towns, and 340 small towns.
We then decided no matter how much anyone loves their town, the best cities to live in New York have more of everything, and therefore, you need over 5,000 people to truly be ‘the best.’
Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In New York
Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them using Saturday Night Science.
We ranked each place in New York across a number of criteria from one to 164, with one being the best.
We then took the average rank across all criteria, crowning the city posting the lowest overall score, the “Best Place To Live In New York.”
The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:
- Median Home Values
- Median Income
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Unemployment Rate
- Commute Time
- Crime
- Education Levels
- Health Insurance Coverage
- Poverty rates
Sources of criteria include the New Census Data, FBI Crime Data, and Zillow. We updated this article for 2025. This report is our tenth time ranking New York’s best places to live.
If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in New York. Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Malverne at the end of the cul-de-sac.
Summary: The Best Places In New York
If you’re looking at areas in New York with the best economic situations, where there’s lower than average crime, and a lot to do, this is an accurate list.
The best places to live in New York are Malverne, Kings Point, Floral Park, Bayville, Rye, Farmingdale, Massapequa Park, Rockville Centre, East Rockaway, and Williston Park.
Malverne made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in New York for 2025.
If you’re curious enough, here are the worst places to live in New York according to the data:
- Fulton (Pop. 11,339)
- Monticello (Pop. 7,252)
- Albion (Pop. 5,495)
For more New York reading, check out:
- Cheapest Places To Live In New York
- Most Dangerous Places In New York
- Best Places To Raise A Family In New York
- Best Places To Retire In New York
- Richest Cities In New York
- Safest Places In New York According To Science
- Worst Places To Live In New York State
Best Places To Live In New York Table
| Rank | City | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Value | Median Income | Rent | Crime Per Capita |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malverne | 8,496 | 1.9% | $637,300 | $146,585 | $1,861 | 0.0092 |
| 2 | Kings Point | 5,614 | 2.5% | $1,917,200 | $185,811 | $3,501 | 0.0092 |
| 3 | Floral Park | 16,025 | 3.7% | $754,300 | $150,350 | $2,429 | 0.0092 |
| 4 | Bayville | 6,744 | 3.8% | $670,500 | $143,571 | $1,974 | 0.0092 |
| 5 | Rye | 16,410 | 5.5% | $1,785,400 | $237,727 | $2,751 | 0.0043 |
| 6 | Farmingdale | 8,450 | 3.8% | $530,100 | $134,037 | $2,460 | 0.0092 |
| 7 | Massapequa Park | 16,985 | 4.8% | $626,300 | $170,470 | $2,886 | 0.0092 |
| 8 | Rockville Centre | 25,770 | 5.5% | $796,100 | $144,516 | $1,790 | 0.0092 |
| 9 | East Rockaway | 10,064 | 2.9% | $623,500 | $112,415 | $2,297 | 0.0092 |
| 10 | Williston Park | 7,508 | 3.9% | $731,700 | $152,656 | $2,146 | 0.0092 |
| 11 | North Hills | 5,419 | 2.8% | $1,212,900 | $196,938 | $3,501 | 0.0092 |
| 12 | East Hills | 7,249 | 4.4% | $1,371,600 | $250,001 | $0 | 0.0092 |
| 13 | Bronxville | 6,539 | 4.9% | $1,137,700 | $215,726 | $3,355 | 0.0209 |
| 14 | Sea Cliff | 5,037 | 12.8% | $926,500 | $185,650 | $2,268 | 0.0092 |
| 15 | Pelham | 7,247 | 5.6% | $891,900 | $179,561 | $2,288 | 0.0209 |
| 16 | Pelham Manor | 5,648 | 4.9% | $1,075,300 | $250,001 | $1,894 | 0.0209 |
| 17 | Long Beach | 34,741 | 3.3% | $661,500 | $130,795 | $2,377 | 0.0020 |
| 18 | Westbury | 15,789 | 2.8% | $599,700 | $136,917 | $1,813 | 0.0092 |
| 19 | Hastings-on-Hudson | 8,449 | 3.2% | $872,500 | $181,528 | $1,999 | 0.0209 |
| 20 | Scarsdale | 18,005 | 4.5% | $1,703,800 | $250,001 | $3,501 | 0.0209 |
| 21 | Lawrence | 6,771 | 5.4% | $1,231,800 | $174,787 | $2,188 | 0.0092 |
| 22 | New Hyde Park | 10,208 | 5.2% | $700,400 | $146,571 | $1,634 | 0.0092 |
| 23 | Irvington | 6,541 | 3.0% | $889,800 | $169,411 | $2,376 | 0.0209 |
| 24 | Mineola | 21,082 | 3.4% | $624,300 | $138,385 | $2,269 | 0.0092 |
| 25 | Valley Stream | 40,278 | 3.0% | $605,000 | $127,426 | $1,994 | 0.0092 |
| 26 | Cedarhurst | 7,306 | 6.7% | $815,800 | $98,958 | $2,204 | 0.0092 |
| 27 | Great Neck Plaza | 7,503 | 7.6% | $381,900 | $106,549 | $2,386 | 0.0092 |
| 28 | Great Neck | 11,068 | 5.9% | $953,400 | $137,095 | $2,195 | 0.0092 |
| 29 | Lynbrook | 20,251 | 4.7% | $592,400 | $138,866 | $2,122 | 0.0092 |
| 30 | Briarcliff Manor | 7,333 | 2.9% | $850,500 | $226,053 | $2,309 | 0.0209 |
| 31 | Manorhaven | 6,934 | 4.1% | $669,700 | $93,322 | $2,651 | 0.0092 |
| 32 | Babylon | 12,182 | 4.2% | $622,100 | $143,856 | $2,359 | 0.0274 |
| 33 | Ardsley | 5,005 | 7.7% | $792,900 | $250,001 | $3,501 | 0.0209 |
| 34 | Northport | 7,320 | 0.0% | $708,400 | $141,378 | $2,070 | 0.0274 |
| 35 | Larchmont | 6,542 | 10.8% | $1,384,700 | $160,526 | $1,990 | 0.0209 |
| 36 | Williamsville | 5,430 | 1.8% | $242,800 | $106,250 | $1,277 | 0.0493 |
| 37 | Ballston Spa | 5,080 | 2.7% | $281,600 | $82,341 | $1,075 | 0.0199 |
| 38 | Wesley Hills | 6,150 | 2.1% | $893,200 | $179,000 | $1,844 | 0.0274 |
| 39 | Ilion | 7,636 | 2.4% | $100,800 | $61,880 | $718 | 0.0074 |
| 40 | Saratoga Springs | 28,542 | 2.3% | $445,100 | $100,485 | $1,439 | 0.0199 |
| 41 | Pleasantville | 7,395 | 6.9% | $830,900 | $177,591 | $1,900 | 0.0209 |
| 42 | Hamburg | 9,762 | 2.9% | $238,000 | $109,028 | $1,019 | 0.0493 |
| 43 | Dobbs Ferry | 11,397 | 5.5% | $719,300 | $167,927 | $2,346 | 0.0209 |
| 44 | Rye Brook | 9,884 | 6.5% | $970,900 | $236,968 | $2,220 | 0.0209 |
| 45 | Horseheads | 6,494 | 2.9% | $133,400 | $59,267 | $1,126 | 0.0172 |
| 46 | Port Jefferson | 8,029 | 2.9% | $628,500 | $143,125 | $2,254 | 0.0274 |
| 47 | Scotia | 7,260 | 2.5% | $182,800 | $74,185 | $1,064 | 0.0388 |
| 48 | Johnstown | 8,153 | 2.3% | $147,000 | $62,333 | $861 | 0.0166 |
| 49 | Glens Falls | 14,678 | 4.3% | $195,800 | $70,089 | $1,050 | 0.0087 |
| 50 | Mamaroneck | 19,840 | 3.9% | $705,200 | $125,459 | $2,017 | 0.0209 |
| 51 | Lindenhurst | 27,106 | 5.9% | $484,800 | $129,033 | $2,099 | 0.0274 |
| 52 | North Tonawanda | 30,338 | 6.0% | $184,900 | $66,774 | $914 | 0.0118 |
| 53 | Beacon | 14,629 | 4.8% | $422,000 | $93,347 | $1,675 | 0.0092 |
| 54 | Freeport | 44,102 | 5.8% | $479,700 | $118,755 | $1,984 | 0.0092 |
| 55 | Harrison | 29,279 | 5.7% | $1,001,900 | $153,273 | $2,585 | 0.0209 |
| 56 | Kenmore | 15,097 | 4.7% | $192,600 | $75,768 | $1,035 | 0.0493 |
| 57 | Croton-on-Hudson | 8,205 | 7.5% | $702,600 | $185,718 | $2,370 | 0.0209 |
| 58 | Lancaster | 10,127 | 1.1% | $186,300 | $63,902 | $839 | 0.0493 |
| 59 | White Plains | 59,818 | 5.5% | $624,100 | $115,586 | $2,151 | 0.0185 |
| 60 | Glen Cove | 28,101 | 4.3% | $654,500 | $91,355 | $2,349 | 0.0060 |
| 61 | Sleepy Hollow | 10,592 | 5.6% | $756,700 | $101,652 | $1,836 | 0.0209 |
| 62 | Colonie | 7,705 | 2.1% | $270,800 | $100,396 | $1,494 | 0.0449 |
| 63 | East Aurora | 5,997 | 4.4% | $334,500 | $101,490 | $1,116 | 0.0493 |
| 64 | New Rochelle | 81,591 | 6.1% | $667,300 | $103,813 | $1,830 | 0.0155 |
| 65 | Elmsford | 5,183 | 5.0% | $568,000 | $116,779 | $2,564 | 0.0209 |
| 66 | Oneonta | 14,467 | 3.4% | $187,800 | $65,031 | $986 | 0.0274 |
| 67 | Canandaigua | 10,542 | 3.9% | $218,300 | $63,268 | $1,093 | 0.0190 |
| 68 | Amityville | 9,513 | 3.4% | $539,600 | $103,684 | $2,148 | 0.0274 |
| 69 | Watervliet | 10,285 | 4.8% | $176,200 | $55,897 | $1,076 | 0.0208 |
| 70 | Suffern | 11,395 | 5.3% | $350,200 | $100,737 | $2,068 | 0.0274 |
| 71 | Nyack | 7,469 | 8.9% | $619,300 | $118,889 | $2,213 | 0.0274 |
| 72 | New Paltz | 8,028 | 10.9% | $397,800 | $59,375 | $1,630 | 0.0177 |
| 73 | Chestnut Ridge | 10,464 | 3.3% | $668,000 | $113,750 | $0 | 0.0274 |
| 74 | Lake Grove | 11,050 | 6.0% | $550,700 | $119,558 | $2,208 | 0.0274 |
| 75 | New Hempstead | 5,431 | 5.3% | $707,300 | $131,293 | $2,409 | 0.0274 |
| 76 | Cohoes | 18,043 | 5.9% | $209,400 | $62,111 | $1,179 | 0.0180 |
| 77 | Herkimer | 7,335 | 6.2% | $123,700 | $57,281 | $824 | 0.0074 |
| 78 | Patchogue | 12,368 | 3.5% | $446,700 | $104,423 | $2,191 | 0.0274 |
| 79 | Mechanicville | 5,143 | 4.5% | $185,900 | $47,331 | $1,066 | 0.0134 |
| 80 | Depew | 15,065 | 3.9% | $180,800 | $75,226 | $1,048 | 0.0493 |
| 81 | Kaser | 5,568 | 7.2% | $831,000 | $28,295 | $1,219 | 0.0274 |
| 82 | West Haverstraw | 10,663 | 5.0% | $368,600 | $86,167 | $1,807 | 0.0274 |
| 83 | Plattsburgh | 19,878 | 5.0% | $189,600 | $53,962 | $964 | 0.0274 |
| 84 | North Syracuse | 6,727 | 3.7% | $150,300 | $66,158 | $968 | 0.0456 |
| 85 | Corning | 10,666 | 6.4% | $148,300 | $61,017 | $976 | 0.0303 |
| 86 | Mount Kisco | 10,782 | 5.0% | $485,800 | $93,057 | $1,656 | 0.0209 |
| 87 | Hempstead | 58,569 | 9.5% | $442,100 | $82,454 | $1,649 | 0.0092 |
| 88 | Peekskill | 25,484 | 7.4% | $376,800 | $91,042 | $1,895 | 0.0117 |
| 89 | Canton | 7,222 | 7.0% | $182,900 | $62,438 | $775 | 0.0433 |
| 90 | Fairport | 5,436 | 3.4% | $262,600 | $99,805 | $1,135 | 0.0574 |
| 91 | Ossining | 26,979 | 5.2% | $444,200 | $100,997 | $2,108 | 0.0209 |
| 92 | Kiryas Joel | 36,572 | 2.3% | $685,800 | $43,171 | $1,575 | 0.0379 |
| 93 | Baldwinsville | 7,732 | 4.8% | $183,600 | $80,104 | $1,271 | 0.0456 |
| 94 | Geneva | 12,573 | 3.4% | $140,300 | $68,242 | $959 | 0.0275 |
| 95 | Port Chester | 31,162 | 7.2% | $563,900 | $99,916 | $1,922 | 0.0209 |
| 96 | Malone | 5,466 | 3.0% | $103,500 | $59,489 | $793 | 0.0274 |
| 97 | Dunkirk | 12,597 | 4.6% | $91,200 | $49,003 | $905 | 0.0150 |
| 98 | Yonkers | 209,529 | 7.4% | $478,000 | $81,816 | $1,730 | 0.0158 |
| 99 | Ithaca | 31,792 | 7.1% | $330,100 | $48,617 | $1,441 | 0.0406 |
| 100 | Saranac Lake | 5,099 | 2.7% | $188,900 | $60,494 | $826 | 0.0274 |