New York City is notorious for its high cost of living. But if you want to stay close to the city without the exorbitant price tag, we listed 10 cheap places to live near NYC as potential alternatives.
Whether you’re looking for a neighboring city or a place in a nearby state, we have options below. See which one you’d like to be your next home:
1. New Rochelle, NY
New Rochelle is situated in the southeastern area of New York in Westchester County. It’s only 45 minutes away from Manhattan and 20 miles away from Time Square, but the cost of living is way cheaper.
Also, New Rochelle is a favorite place for New Yorkers to raise a family while keeping easy access to the Big Apple.
Here’s why you should consider New Rochelle as your new home:
- The median home cost in New Rochelle, NY, is around $637,000 in the last quarter of 2022.
- The median monthly rent in New Rochelle is $2,499
- More people are buying houses rather than renting – it’s that cheap!
- It’s surrounded by lots of hiking trails and nature.
- It’s a commuter paradise – being close to Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal.
- New Rochelle, NY, has one of the lowest crime rates in the state.
2. Fleetwood, NY
Fleetwood is dubbed as “New York’s best-kept secret”. It’s a suburb that occupies a section of Mount Vernon, a hidden paradise for quiet living and cheap home prices.
Moreover, Fleetwood, NY, is only 40 minutes from Times Square, but you wouldn’t think it’s so adjacent to a bustling business district. Life in Fleetwood is laidback, where you can easily find a multi-family home at a reasonable price.
Here are quick facts about Fleetwood, NY:
- The average home price in Fleetwood, NY, is at a very low $282,500 in the last quarter of 2022.
- The average rent price in Fleetwood, NY, is $1,725 – one of the cheapest in New York state.
- It’s surrounded by highly-rated private schools in Mount Vernon, like Montfort Academy and Emmanuel Children Mission School.
3. Port Washington, NY
Just 1 hour from Manhattan is Port Washington, located on Long Island. It has a small-town vibe right along the north shore of this Queens neighborhood.
If you love water sports and similar recreation, this place would be a paradise for you. Although it’s not as cheap as Fleetwood, it still offers reasonable home prices while being close to the Big Apple.
Here’s why many New Yorkers choose Port Washington:
- The average home price in Port Washington is $949,000
- The average rent cost in Port Washington, NY, is $2,567 for a one-bedroom apartment
- It’s a coastal paradise for those who love water activities.
- It’s a great place to raise a family or reside if you’re working in Manhattan.
4. Yonkers, NY
Yonkers, NY, is less than an hour away from Manhattan, making it an accessible place to live if you work in the city.
Like Fleetwood, Yonkers has a laidback and quiet vibe. It’s perfect if you want peace of mind in raising a family or simply having a place for yourself.
- The median listing for home prices in Yonkers, NY, is $425,000
- Rent prices in Yonkers, NY is $2,227 for a two-bedroom apartment
- It’s only a 30-minute train ride from the Grand Central Station.
- It’s located along the Hudson River, which gives a lot of green spaces.
- Yonkers, NY, offers a variety of housing options, from all-income neighborhoods to upscale real estate.
5. Tarrytown, NY
Located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, Tarrytown offers an idyllic spot for all socioeconomic standing. It’s also notably diverse since it has a better racial mix than other neighborhoods in the state.
Moreover, Tarrytown, NY, has an urban-suburban feel, which young professionals and families love. It’s also a walkable town with parks like Losee Park and Patriots Park.
Here’s why Tarrytown might be the best cheap place to live near NYC:
- Tarrytown is just 40 minutes away from Manhattan by commute.
- In December 222, the median home price in Tarrytown, NY, was $649,500.
- Rent in Tarrytown, NY, costs an average of $1,895 for a one-bedroom apartment.
- It was once the home of John D. Rockefeller.
6. Cheektowaga, NY
Cheektowaga is a suburb located in Erie County, New York. It’s a perfect place to live for those looking for cheap homes, a family-friendly environment, and plenty of parks.
It’s about 1.5 hours away from Times Square but still reasonably accessible if you want to go to the city.
Since homes are in the lowest national average range, expect older properties than in other New York neighborhoods.
Still, here’s why many choose Cheektowaga as their home near NYC:
- The average home price in Cheektowaga is $185,000.
- Rent is very cheap in Cheektowaga for an average of $800 to $926 monthly.
- It’s surrounded by parks and playgrounds, perfect for young families.
- In 2018, Cheektowaga was ranked as the 9th safest place in the United States by SafeWise.
7. Fort Lee, NJ
Across the Hudson River is the borough of Fort Lee, located on Bergen County’s eastern border. It’s only a 30-minute drive to and from Manhattan, making it a good choice for young professionals who want to avoid the high rental prices in the business district.
The best thing about living in Fort Lee is the reasonable home prices and proximity to jobs all over New York City.
Aside from that, here are the reasons why many New Yorkers choose to settle in this place:
- The average home price in Fort Lee, NJ, is $349,700.
- For a one-bedroom apartment in Fort Lee, expect to pay around $1,957.
- Fort Lee has an urban feel where most people own their homes instead of renting.
- It’s surrounded by multiple shops, parks, restaurants, and other amenities.
- It’s accessible to and from Manhattan.
8. Stamford, CT
Stamford, Connecticut, is roughly 34 miles away from Manhattan. While it’s a bit farther than most on this list, it also means lower prices in terms of rent and home purchase.
Like Fort Lee, Stamford also imbibes a dense urban feel. It’s plugged away from the noise of NYC but still bustling in its own right.
If you’re looking for a cheap place to live, here’s why Stamford might be the one:
- The average home price in Stamford, CT, is $535,000.
- A studio apartment in Stamford costs around $1,792 a month.
- Stamford, CT, has a considerably low crime rate
- The culinary scene in the city is remarkable.
- It’s still close to major cities if you don’t want to be too far from NYC.
9. Maplewood, NJ
On the far east side of New York, you’ll find the dense suburban township of Maplewood. It has a quiet vibe surrounded by coffee shops, restaurants, and parks, less than 1.5 hours away from Manhattan on public transit.
Maplewood, NJ, is a diverse town with a Rockwellian atmosphere without the exorbitant cost. There’s so much to enjoy in this town, although it’s not as cheap as Fort Lee.
If you’re thinking of moving to Maplewood, NJ, here are the perks you could enjoy:
- The average home cost in Maplewood, NJ, is $585,000.
- In Maplewood, NJ, the median cost of rent is $2,183 for a one-bedroom apartment.
- It has an artistic and diverse atmosphere far from the noise of New York City.
- Maplewood has a small-town feel, which young families may like.
10. Greenwich, CT
Greenwich is a neighboring town southwest of Stamford. It’s an hour’s drive to Manhattan, which is reasonable if you’re working in the city and want a quieter residence at the same time.
Far from the affluent Greenwich Village in NYC, the town of Greenwich in Connecticut is slightly cheaper. Overall, costs here are higher than in the other neighborhoods we listed, but you’ll still get more for your money than staying in NYC.
If you’re thinking of moving to Greenwich, CT, here’s what you should know
- Home prices are around $1.4 million to $3 million on average.
- Rent prices in Greenwich, CT, are around $3,645 a month
- It remains close to Manhattan and other areas of New York City
- There are many dining, shopping, and recreational options around Greenwich, CT.
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