Tips for Moving to Staten Island: From Best Neighborhoods to Top Things to Do

You’re drawn to the New York City lifestyle, but you also find yourself wishing it could come with a little more yard, less congestion, and a significantly lower cost of living. Well, good news! Moving to Staten Island may check lots of boxes on your wish list. Staten Island is where NYC goes to breathe. Think tree-lined streets, driveways, actual basements, and maybe even some properties with pools. Want to know what living in Staten Island is really like? Here’s everything you need to know about the area, including the best Staten Island neighborhoods, things to do, and moving tips.

Staten Island at a Glance

Population: Staten Island’s population is just over 503,000

• Median age: The median age in Casa Grande is 40.6.
• Borough size: Staten Island’s total area is about 60 square miles.
• Location: Staten Island sits in New York Harbor, just south of Manhattan and sandwiched between Brooklyn and New Jersey.
• Fun fact: Staten Island got its name from the Dutch, who called it Staten Eylandt in honor of the States General, the governing body of the Netherlands.

4 Things To Know Before Moving to Staten Island

Close to the city but with a close-knit feel, living in Staten Island gives you the best of both worlds. Sometimes referred to as New York’s “forgotten borough,” Staten Island is the least populated of the New York City boroughs, despite being the third largest in land area. This leaves more room for homes and green space — as well as cars, shopping centers, and other suburban amenities. If you’re considering moving to Staten Island, here are four other notable attributes.

Living in Staten Island is renter-friendly, especially if you’re used to Manhattan or Brooklyn prices.

1. The Cost of Living in Staten Island Is Relatively Low

One of the best things about living in Staten Island as a New York resident is the savings. If you’re used to Manhattan or Brooklyn prices, Staten Island will almost certainly come as a relief as you look to rent or buy a home. If you’re not from one of the most expensive NYC boroughs, though, you might be paying a little more, as the cost of living in Staten Island is 58.4 percent higher than the national average.

• Cost of renting in Staten Island: Across all rental types, Zumper lists median rent in Staten Island at $3,200 per month. Compare that to the median rents of $5,300 and $3,675 in Manhattan and Brooklyn, respectively, and it’s fair to say you could save thousands a month by choosing Staten Island. Browsing current 1-bedroom apartment listings, you can find rentals from about $1,825 to $3,950 a month, with that higher number likely accounting for luxury buildings or older complexes.
• Cost of buying a home in Staten Island: Per Zillow, the typical home value in Staten Island is $719,000. While this is less than most other parts of NYC, it’s still almost twice the $366,000 national typical home value.
• Local and state taxes: Based on information from Avalara, Staten Island residents pay a combined sales tax rate of 8.88 percent, which includes New York State tax (4.0 percent), New York City tax (4.5 percent), and a Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District surcharge (0.38 percent).
• Staten Island vs. Manhattan: Some people move from Manhattan to Staten Island because the cost of living in Staten Island is 30 percent lower. So, a salary of $200,000 in Manhattan would be commensurate with a salary of $139,800 in Staten Island.  
• Staten Island vs. Manalapan: Staten Island and Manalapan (one of the best places to live in New Jersey) are similar suburbs. With Staten Island at 30 percent above the national average and Manalapan at 29.1 percent above, the difference is minimal. So, a salary of $100,000 in Staten Island would be roughly equal to a salary of $99,300 in Manalapan.

2. Getting Around Staten Island Can Be Challenging, Even With a Car

Want to sell your car before moving to Staten Island? It might be possible, but this borough is like many other NYC suburbs in that it’s a car-centric community. Public transportation in Staten Island neighborhoods is improving, though, with buses crisscrossing the island and connecting to the Staten Island Railway.

Traffic in Staten Island

Traffic can be frustrating, especially on major arteries like Hylan Boulevard or during rush hour near the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. However, compared to Manhattan or Brooklyn, the island’s traffic is generally more manageable, and parking is far easier to find. If you’re living and working in Staten Island, it’ll likely be faster to take a car than rely on public transportation. Getting to the city isn’t as clear-cut.

Commuting From Staten Island to Manhattan via Public Transportation

Living in Staten Island but working in Manhattan? Get familiar with the Staten Island Ferry. It’s free, runs 24/7, and operates every 15–20 minutes during peak times. The 25-minute crossing offers some iconic views, but the beauty is reserved for outside your window — locals will tell you that the ferry itself isn’t very glamorous. You can get to the ferry via the St. George Ferry Terminal. Depending on your neighborhood, that means either driving and paying for parking, or taking a bus or the Staten Island Railway. Once you reach Manhattan’s Whitehall Terminal, you’ll likely need another bus or subway to reach your job.

Commuting from Staten Island to Manhattan via Car

Want to avoid public transportation? Driving between Staten Island and Manhattan comes with its own pros and cons. With an E-ZPass, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge toll still exceeds $10 roundtrip, and that’s before factoring in Manhattan’s steep parking fees. Traffic can be heavy, especially on the Gowanus Expressway or near the Battery Tunnel, and the total commute often stretches from one hour to an hour and a half, roughly the same as taking the ferry and transit.

Moving to Staten Island? You’ll probably want to bring your car or purchase one before getting settled in.

3. The Best Staten Island Neighborhoods Appeal to Families, Young Professionals, and Retirees Alike

As with any city, the right neighborhood all depends on what you’re looking for. Is quick access to the ferry the most important thing for your commute? Or is it the square footage for your money, or parks within walking distance? No matter your need, Staten Island has dozens of great neighborhoods to suit a variety of living situations and personal interests.

Here are our picks for the best neighborhoods in Staten Island:

Great Kills — Best for Families

Time to St. George Ferry Terminal: About 40 minutes by rail or car.

Located on the southeast side of Staten Island, Great Kills is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. Don’t be scared off by the name. You’ll notice plenty of “kills” in Staten Island because the word is Dutch for a body of water. You'll mostly find single-family detached and semi-attached homes in Great Kills, though there are a few condo options too, with some situated right on the water. Families love Great Kills for the solid schools and the sheer number of families that live there, making it ideal for making friends. Another bonus? Access to Great Kills Harbor, the marina, and several beaches.

Huguenot — Best for Retirees

Time to St. George Ferry Terminal: About 40 minutes via rail or 30 minutes by car.

Situated near the south shore of Staten Island, Huguenot is a residential neighborhood filled with family homes without many businesses. Most of those homes are single-family detached homes, in styles ranging from Colonials and Cape Cods to raised ranches and split-levels. For retirees especially, the abundance of single-level living options is a huge plus. You'll also find two-family homes if you want rental income, plus more affordable semi-attached places along the edges. Huguenot’s quiet, residential setting means low traffic and peaceful streets, which is a major draw for retirees, plus there’s excellent access to beaches and the South Shore Country Club.

St. George — Best for Young Professionals

Time to St. George Ferry Terminal: You’re already there!

On the North Shore of the island, St. George is ideal for young professionals who are used to city dwelling and need to commute via the ferry since this is where the terminal is located. The area is densely populated and feels more urban than the rest of the borough, with walkable areas, hip restaurants and bars, galleries, and other fun stuff to do. While St. George is known for its classic Victorian homes, St. George has more apartments and condos (at higher price points) than other parts of Staten Island.

Moving to Staten Island doesn’t mean saying goodbye to city fun — there are plenty of ways to enjoy yourself.
(Source: @urbylife via Instagram)

4. You Don’t Have To Leave the Island To Find Plenty of Things To Do

Moving to Staten Island doesn’t have to mean giving in to a sleepy, suburban existence — this area is teeming with fun things to do. From historic villages and sprawling parks to a killer outlet mall and some of the most scrumptious Italian food in the city, Staten Island is full of surprises. Here are some of the best things you can experience while living in Staten Island.

• Staten Island Children’s Museum
• St. George Theatre
• Fort Wadsworth
• Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
• The Flagship Brewing Company
• Staten Island FerryHawks

Moving to Staten Island — FAQs

Q: Is Staten Island expensive to live?

A: Living in Staten Island is less expensive than Manhattan or Brooklyn, but it’s still part of New York City, so it does have a higher cost of living than the national average. Housing costs are considered affordable for the area, but taxes can be high.

Q: Is Staten Island considered upper class?

A: Staten Island as a whole isn’t considered upper class, but it does have the highest median income of all NYC boroughs. Wealthier areas like Todt Hill and Grymes Hill have home prices in the millions, but there are also working-class neighborhoods like West Brighton. So, the high income is likely attributed to wealthier pockets with more middle-class areas mixed in.

Q: Is Brooklyn or Staten Island safer?

A: Statistically speaking, Staten Island is safer than Brooklyn. According to NeighborhoodScout, Staten Island is safer than 24 percent of U.S. cities, while Brooklyn is safer than 8 percent.

Tips for Moving to Staten Island

If you’re moving to Staten Island, you likely have all kinds of things on your mind: Do I need to find a professional mover who knows the area? What are my options for making the move, and how can I get it all done without going crazy? Here are some tips for moving to Staten Island — and staying sane while doing it.

Measure Your Entry Points Before Moving Day

If you’re moving from Manhattan or a high-rise building, you may be used to freight elevators and larger entrances. Your Staten Island home may be a more suburban style, with stairs, a porch, smaller front doors, etc. Make sure you know how you’re going to load all of your belongings into your new home before moving to Staten Island.

Account for Parking Space — or a Lack Thereof

While Staten Island has more parking and driveways than other parts of NYC, it can still be tight, posing some special challenges. Plus, if you’re moving from a more urban borough, you’ll need to deal with loading and parking conditions there as well. Before settling on any plan, research the street’s parking regulations at the NYC Department of Transportation site, and if you’re in an apartment building that has parking, check with the manager about reserving space for loading and unloading.

Make Sure Your Movers Know Staten Island

When you're picking movers, go with someone who knows Staten Island's quirky bridge traffic, tight streets, and ferry schedules. A good Manhattan mover will also understand building rules, but on Staten Island, you'll want to ask about stairs, long walks from the truck, and driveway access. Send them photos of both places so there are no surprises on moving day.

Reconfigure Your Budget

Sure, Staten Island is less expensive than some other NYC boroughs, but your budget may still shift in unexpected ways. You might get more space for your money, but that means higher heating, cooling, and maintenance costs. Plus, if you rely on a car, expect to pay more for gas, tolls, insurance, and repairs, and don't forget basics like trash, water, and snow removal.

Moving to Staten Island is different from a move into Manhattan and requires unique considerations.

Move to Staten Island With PODS

Moving to Staten Island can involve special circumstances and features like narrow streets, bridge traffic, and timing the ferry, but using PODS portable moving containers makes the process way more flexible. Pick the right size or mix of containers, load on your own schedule, then have your things delivered to your new Staten Island home. Plus, one month's storage is included in the cost of every move, which is perfect if your new place isn't ready right away or you need time to sort things out room by room. If the heavy lifting feels like too much, PODS can also refer you to local packing and loading services to help.

Living in Manhattan and can’t have a container delivered? No sweat! Consider PODS City Service, which is available in select areas and designed for crowded urban spaces. The container is delivered and taken away the same day, with a driver standing by while you load from ground level using a hydraulic lift, so no truck driving or parking hassles. You can even combine it with standard PODS service: Use City Service for pickup in a tight spot like Manhattan, then switch to a standard container you keep in your Staten Island driveway to unload.

Visit PODS online for a free local moving quote or call 877-350-7637 for long-distance moving.

Editor’s note: For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}