New York is one of the most interesting specifications in the US.
Long Island and Staten Island are no different in this regard. Every year, millions of people visit these two destinations.
As a matter of fact, every year around 291 million people visit Long Island, while Staten Island is the center of attraction for over 12 million people. These numbers include both domestic and international visitors.
But why you should prefer one over another?
After visiting both places, I would like to answer this question: “Long Island vs Staten Island: Which one is better?”
I’ve compiled a list of the most important elements you should consider when deciding.
Read on to discover the main differences, and why you should choose one destination over another.
Long Island vs Staten Island: Full Comparison in 1 Table
First and foremost, let’s put every compared element in a table so you have the full picture:
| Element | Long Island | Staten Island |
| Location | East of Manhattan (extending into the Atlantic Ocean) | South of Manhattan Island (separated from Long Island by the Narrows) |
| Population | Over 8 mln people | Close to 500,000 people |
| Counties | Kings, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk | Belongs to Richmond County (coterminous) |
| Size | 1,401 mi² (3,629 km²) | 58.69 mi² (152 km2) |
| Crime Level | 26.67 | 33.33 |
| Transportation | Relies heavily on cars, limited public transit | Public transit available, but car dominant |
| Cost of Living | Higher compared to Staten Island. | Lower compared to Long Island. |
| Housing Costs | Varied, from suburban to rural | Mix of suburban and urban housing |
| Median Home Price | Around $500,000 – $600,000 (varies by area) | Around $550,000 – $600,000 (varies by neighborhood) |
| Transportation Costs | Lower due to limited public transit options | Higher due to reliance on cars and tolls |
| Food Costs | Generally higher due to suburban lifestyle | Generally lower due to urban environment |
| Childcare costs | $20.46/hr | $19.74/hr |
| Attractions | Beaches, parks, historical sites, wineries | Parks, museums, historic landmarks |
| Things to Do | Boating, fishing, hiking, shopping | Parks, cultural events, sports |
Now, let’s see more comparisons of the most important factors and elements compared.
Let’s start with the location.
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Location
Located in the east of Manhattan, Long Island stretches over 118 miles from New York Harbor to the Atlantic Ocean. It includes the four counties mentioned in the table above.
Staten Island, on the other hand, is located in the New York Harbor (Richmond County). It’s separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull and from the rest of New York by the Narrows.
However, it’s the least populated area among the five NYC boroughs, often referred to as the “forgotten borough” or “borough of parks”.
Crime Level in Long Island vs Staten Island
Crime data in Long Island and Staten Island are quite low, compared with New York’s other areas.
I’ve taken data from the same source: Numbeo, to have a proper comparison, with the same methodology and approach.
I’ve put the data in a table, for your convenience:
| Crime Comparison | Long Island | Staten Island |
| Level of Crime | 26.67 (Low) | 33.33 (Low) |
| Crime Increase (past 3 years) | 60.00 (High) | 50.00 (Moderate) |
| Home Break-ins & Theft Worries | 26.67 (Low) | 36.11 (Low) |
| Mugging or Robbery Worries | 25.00 (Low) | 30.56 (Low) |
| Car Theft Worries | 16.67 (Very Low) | 30.56 (Low) |
| Property Crimes Concerns | 28.33 (Low) | 46.88 (Moderate) |
| Violent Crimes Concerns | 23.33 (Low) | 33.33 (Low) |
| Drug-related Issues | 51.67 (Moderate) | 55.56 (Moderate) |
As the table above shows, I’ve compared various crime-related metrics between Long Island and Staten Island.
Here is what you should know (some key points):
- Level of Crime: Long Island has a crime index of 26.67 (Low), while Staten Island’s crime index is slightly higher at 33.33 (Low).
- Crime Increase: Long Island shows a higher increase in crime over the past three years at 60.00 (High) compared to Staten Island’s 50.00 (Moderate).
- Home Break-ins & Theft Worries: Long Island has a lower concern level at 26.67 (Low) compared to Staten Island’s 36.11 (Low).
- Mugging or Robbery Worries: Both areas show relatively low worries, with Long Island at 25.00 and Staten Island at 30.56.
- Car Theft Worries: Long Island reports low worries at 16.67, while Staten Island’s concern level is higher at 30.56.
- Property Crimes Concerns: Long Island has a lower concern level at 28.33 (Low) compared to Staten Island’s 46.88 (Moderate).
- Violent Crimes Concerns: Both areas show low concerns, with Long Island at 23.33 and Staten Island at 33.33.
- Drug-related Issues: Both regions exhibit moderate levels of concern, with Long Island at 51.67 and Staten Island at 55.56.
As for me, I personally liked Staten Island as it seemed a bit safer there. If it’s about raising children, I would choose Staten Island over Long Island.
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Cost of Living in Staten Island vs Long Island
If you want to relocate to one of these locations, I’ve done some research for you. It includes the most vital aspects. These include living costs in both places.
Also, renting prices, transportation, and child costs, and more.
Here’s the table with all the details:
| Living Expenses Comparison | Long Island | Staten Island |
| Average Monthly Rent | $3,555 (NYC average) | $2,000 |
| Utilities (Monthly) | $150-$250 | $248 |
| Groceries (Monthly) | Varies, based on location | Varies, based on location |
| Transportation (Monthly) | Average monthly cost of transportation in Manhattan: $104.50 | Average monthly cost of transportation in Staten Island: $51.50 |
| Child Care Costs | Average full-time child care cost in NYC: $15,000 per year | High child care costs across all boroughs in NYC |
| Schooling Costs | Varies by borough; e.g., Manhattan private school tuition: nearly $50,000 per year | Varies by borough; e.g., Bronx private school tuition: just over $17,000 per year |
Accommodation or Renting Costs in Long Island vs Staten Island
So I’ve calculated the average of the monthly rent of accommodations in both locations.
As a basis, I looked at some of the biggest websites. They had 1-bedroom apartments (type: Apartment) with hundreds of options.
For Long Island, I chose:
And for Staten Island, I took:
The cheapest options for renting a 1-bedroom apartment in Long Island start from $870 to $50,000/month (see the image below).
As for Staten Island, I was surprised as it’s even more expensive there. Being a much smaller place, the cheapest option for a 1-bedroom apartment in Staten Island starts from $1,150 per month, and reaches up to $7,510.
Also, one thing to remember is that most housing options do not include washing machines. So bear this in consideration.
For example, cleaning services for clothes in Staten Island start from:
- Shirt service: $2 per shirt
- Laundry service: $$1.27 per pound
- Dry cleaning: From $2 per item
In Long Island, the prices are the following:
- Shirt service: $6.6 (on average, based on 6 services)
- Laundry service: $1.75 per pound
- Dry cleaning: From $2 per item
Also, when budgeting your monthly cost of living in NYC, make sure to plan for $140 to $275 for utilities.
Most often, only water and heating are in your rent. But, electricity, cooling, gas, and garbage fees are not.
Transportation Aspects
When comparing transportation options between Long Island and Staten Island, several key points emerge:
- Distance: The distance between Long Island and Staten Island is around 59 miles, with a road distance of 71.8 miles. The fastest way to travel between the two locations is by driving, taking about 1 hour and 25 minutes. You can also take a combination of train and bus can take around 2 hours and 56 minutes.
- Transportation Modes: Long Island is well-connected through the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), offering extensive rail services for commuters. In contrast, Staten Island has the Staten Island Railway but is more reliant on buses for commuting, especially in areas not accessible by subway.
- Ferry Services: Staten Island provides access to Manhattan via the Staten Island Ferry, which is a free mode of transportation. Additionally, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge connects Staten Island to Brooklyn.
- Cost Considerations: The cost of transportation varies between the two locations. Driving may cost $13-$19, while taking a combination of train and bus can range from $8 to $35.
Childcare Costs
According to Care.com, the average base rate for childcare providers in Staten Island, NY is $19.74 per hour.
On the other hand, in Long Island City, NY, the cost of hiring childcare providers is about 13% higher than the New York average base rate of $20.46 per hour.
But don’t forget that due to its size, Long Island offers more job opportunities and housing options.
Attractions in Staten Island and Long Island
There are numerous attractions on both islands.
Here’s a list of some famous attractions you might like to visit:
Long Island attractions:
- New York Botanical Garden
- Wave Hill Public Gardens
- Orchard Beach
- Bronx Museum of the Arts
- Edgar Allan Poe Cottage
- Yankee Stadium
Staten Island attractions:
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
- Staten Island Botanical Garden
- Chinese Scholar’s Garden
- Staten Island Children’s Museum
- Staten Island Museum
- National Lighthouse Museum
- Fort Wadsworth and Historic Richmond Town
- Staten Island Greenbelt Nature Center
Conclusion
Both islands offer unique living experiences.
But if you’re still wondering “Is Long Island more expensive than Staten Island?”, I have to state YES, it is! Long Island is more expensive than Staten Island, in terms of housing and other expenses as well.
And no matter if you are a tourist or living in New York, I would advise you to visit them at least once in your life.
Cheers!!
