Stony Brook 85 Exceptional
Stony Brook Livability #29 ranked city in New York#460 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Stony Brook

PROS
  • Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

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What's it like Living in Stony Brook?

Located in the state of New York, Stony Brook is a mid-sized city with a population of 11,785 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (82% White). Given that fact, Stony Brook could be considered less diverse than other cities. Something to be aware of when living in Stony Brook are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 32 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Stony Brook, New York. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like health & safety, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Stony Brook and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Stony Brook to New York and the national average.

With a livability score of 84 out of 100, Stony Brook is ranked #431 in the United States and #29 in New York. Compared to the national average, Stony Brook ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Stony Brook is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we consider each of the categories individually, we see that Stony Brook ranks well for crime (A+), education (A+) and housing (A). There are some categories that Stony Brook ranks poorly for, including: cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

The Stony Brook unemployment rate of 1.89% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that Stony Brook schools excel in test scores is a crucial consideration when determining the suitability of this area for residence. The local schools boast an impressive average test score of 75%, significantly higher than the national average. This stellar academic performance not only attests to the excellence of the educational system but also underscores the area's commitment to providing a high-quality education, making Stony Brook an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Stony Brook has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Stony Brook is real estate affordability. The median home price for Stony Brook homes is $466,000, which is 62.8% higher than the New York average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Stony Brook, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.8, which is 19.1% lower than the New York average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Stony Brook

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Stony Brook?

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Compare Stony Brook, NY Livability

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      Stony Brook transportation information

      Statistic Stony Brook New York National
      Average one way commute32min33min26min
      Workers who drive to work73.3%53.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.5%6.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit6.1%28.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.0%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.0%6.3%2.8%
      Working from home11.1%4.0%4.6%
      Source: The Stony Brook, NY data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).