Pick a town and see the real numbers: home values, incomes, commutes, and who actually lives there. The stats come straight from the US Census; the opinions come from me.
Massapequa
The guideThe big one: parks, canals, and the Sunrise Mall redevelopment everyone argues about.
- Median home value
- $693,200
- Median household income
- $181,846
- Population
- 21,389
- Median age
- 44.5
- Owner occupied
- 96.8%
- Average commute
- 37 min
Babylon branch, Massapequa station, about 50 min to Penn
Massapequa Park
The guideVillage services, village taxes, and Front Street within walking distance.
- Median home value
- $642,600
- Median household income
- $171,953
- Population
- 16,963
- Median age
- 43.9
- Owner occupied
- 98%
- Average commute
- 36 min
Babylon branch, Massapequa Park station, about 52 min to Penn
Seaford
The guideQuieter than its neighbors, with a waterfront half the buyers do not know exists.
- Median home value
- $658,300
- Median household income
- $172,557
- Population
- 15,549
- Median age
- 40.3
- Owner occupied
- 92.9%
- Average commute
- 38 min
Babylon branch, Seaford station, about 48 min to Penn
Wantagh
The guideThe gateway to Jones Beach, with a park system that punches above its size.
- Median home value
- $706,600
- Median household income
- $179,362
- Population
- 18,365
- Median age
- 41.2
- Owner occupied
- 95.3%
- Average commute
- 34 min
Babylon branch, Wantagh station, about 46 min to Penn
Babylon
The guideA real walkable village: Argyle Lake, Main Street, and the dock at the end of Fire Island Ave.
- Median home value
- $658,500
- Median household income
- $140,820
- Population
- 12,185
- Median age
- 45.5
- Owner occupied
- 78.6%
- Average commute
- 33 min
Babylon branch terminus, about 55 min to Penn
Lindenhurst
The guideThe best entry price on the corridor, and a village downtown quietly getting good.
- Median home value
- $521,500
- Median household income
- $130,128
- Population
- 27,142
- Median age
- 38.1
- Owner occupied
- 87.6%
- Average commute
- 32 min
Babylon branch, Lindenhurst station, about 58 min to Penn
West Islip
The guideBigger lots, canal streets, and the Causeway straight to Robert Moses beach.
- Median home value
- $614,300
- Median household income
- $176,281
- Population
- 26,865
- Median age
- 38.5
- Owner occupied
- 95%
- Average commute
- 30 min
Via Babylon station next door, about 55 min to Penn
Amityville
The guideA harbor village with real history and the most house per dollar near the water.
- Median home value
- $569,800
- Median household income
- $106,285
- Population
- 9,588
- Median age
- 52.1
- Owner occupied
- 74.4%
- Average commute
- 31 min
Babylon branch, Amityville station, about 55 min to Penn
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Commute figure is the all-modes average for residents; LIRR times are typical peak schedules.
Not sure which town fits?
This is the conversation I have most. Tell me your budget, your commute, and whether Saturday means the beach or the ballfield, and I will tell you which three blocks to look at first.