Affordable Commuter towns NYC

17 Most Affordable Commuter Towns to NYC 2024

Are you looking for an affordable commuter town to NYC? Working in New York City often means striking a balance between the commute to NYC and an affordable place to call home. We found NYC commuter towns with median home prices below $680,000 and a commute no longer than 55 minutes to NYC – with many towns offering shorter commutes of 30 minutes. Here are the most affordable commuter towns to live in near New York City.

Metro North train

Check out NYC Suburbs with Shortest Commute to NYC

Most Affordable Commuter Towns to New York City

Hackensack, NJ

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $337,692
  • Commute Time to NYC: 47 minutes on Bus 168 to Port Authority

Hackensack is the most affordable commuter town in New Jersey to NYC with a median home sale price of $337,692. 

Located in New Jersey’s Bergen County, commuters find it appealing thanks to the 47-minute bus ride on Bus 168 straight to the Port Authority. 

Its affordability coupled with a reasonable commute time makes Hackensack an attractive NYC commuter town.

Fort Lee, NJ

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $345,558
  • Commute Time to NYC: 35 minutes on Bus 156 to Port Authority

Fort Lee is another affordable New Jersey commuter town to NYC with median home prices of $345,558. 

Fort Lee, NJ

Fort Lee is an easy commute from NJ to NYC with the quick 35-minute NJ Transit bus ride. Bus 156 takes commuters from Fort Lee to Port Authority.

Located in Bergen County, on the Hudson River, Fort Lee residents enjoy picturesque views and a quick bus commute into NYC. 

Its proximity to major highways and the George Washington Bridge makes it a prime location for an easy commute to New York City.

Check out the Most Affordable Places to Live in Northern NJ

Thomaston, NY

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $375,823
  • Commute Time to NYC: 31 minutes from Great Neck

Located in Nassau County, Thomaston is the most affordable Long Island commuter town to NYC with a median sale price of $375,823. 

The commute to NYC is an easy 31-minute LIRR train ride nearby Great Neck station.

Thomaston is an attractive Long Island commuter town because of its affordability, quick commute to NYC and top-rated schools (Great Neck School District!). 

Check out our list of the Most Affordable Places to Live in Nassau County

Guttenberg, NJ

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $407,192
  • Commute Time to NYC: 19 minutes on Bus 159 to Port Authority

Guttenberg is one of the most affordable New Jersey commuter towns to NYC with a median home sale price of $407,192. 

Located in Hudson County, Gutenberg is a swift 19-minute commute to NYC on Bus 159, which is highly attractive to those working in the city.

With the short commute to NYC, affordability, and amazing Hudson River views, Guttenberg is one of the best NJ commuter towns.

Check out our list of the Best NJ Commuter Towns

Great Neck Plaza, NY

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $411,154
  • Commute Time to NYC: 31 minutes on LIRR train

Great Neck Plaza is another affordable Long Island commuter town to NYC with median home prices of $411,154. 

Located in Nassau County, Great Neck Plaza is an easy 31 minute LIRR train ride to Grand Central. 

The combination of the easy NYC commute, affordable home prices and great schools makes Great Neck Plaza one of the best commuter towns in Long Island.  

Check out our list of Long Island Towns with Good Schools and Short Commute

Metro North train station

Newark, NJ

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $412,481
  • Commute Time to NYC: 20 minutes on the train to Penn Station

Newark is an affordable commuter city in New Jersey. 

As New Jersey’s largest city, Newark is a hub with a quick train ride connecting residents directly to Manhattan.

It’s a quick 20-minute train ride from Newark to Penn Station. 

The easy NYC commute and the affordable median home price of $412,481, make Newark an attractive commuter town. 

Mount Vernon, NY

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $421,388
  • Commute Time to NYC: 26 minutes from Mt. Vernon West

Mount Vernon is the most affordable commuter town in Westchester County with median home prices of $421,388. 

Mt Vernon East Metro North station
Mt Vernon East Metro North station

Located in lower Westchester County, Mount Vernon is an easy 26 minute Metro North train ride to NYC.

Mount Vernon is also just 17 minutes away from the beach in New Rochelle!

The affordability, easy commute to NYC and beach access make Mount Vernon a very attractive town for NYC commuters.

Check out our list of the Most Affordable Towns to live in Westchester County 

Farmingdale, NY

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $429,751
  • Commute Time to NYC: 54 minutes on LIRR train

Farmingdale is one of the most affordable NYC commuter towns in Long Island with a median sale price of $429,751.

Compared to other commuter towns on this list, Farmingdale has a slightly longer commute of 54 minutes on the LIRR train. 

Located in Nassau County, Farmingdale has a charming downtown with shops and restaurants and it’s an easy 17 minute drive to Jones Beach. 

Yonkers, NY

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $430,435
  • Commute Time to NYC: 30 minutes on the Metro North train

Yonkers is an affordable commuter town to NYC with median home prices of $430,435.

X2O Xaviers in Yonkers NY
X2O Xaviers in Yonkers NY

Located in Westchester County, it is an easy 30 minute Metro North train ride to midtown Manhattan.

On the Hudson River, Yonkers offers city conveniences and a direct train to the heart of Manhattan.

West New York, NJ

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $460,367
  • Commute Time to NYC: 16 minutes on Bus 159 to Port Authority

West New York is another affordable commuter town to NYC with median home prices of $460,367. 

Located just across the Hudson River, on New Jersey’s Gold Coast, West New York is an easy 16 minute commute to NYC. 

West New York’s proximity to the Lincoln Tunnel makes it a pretty quick bus ride to Port Authority.

The fast commute to NYC, affordability and amazing views of NYC make West New York an attractive commuter town to NYC. 

Englewood, NJ

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $487,192
  • Commute Time to NYC: 35 minutes on Bus 166 to Port Authority

Englewood is one of the most affordable New Jersey commuter towns in Bergen County with median home prices of $487,192. 

Located near the George Washington Bridge, it’s an easy 35-minute express bus ride to NYC’s Port Authority on Bus 166. 

Aside from affordability and the easy NYC commute, Englewood is a nice place to live in because it has a nice downtown, is conveniently located near Paramus Mall and Bergen Town Center, and is home to the renowned Englewood Hospital.

White Plains, NY

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $527,173
  • Commute Time to NYC: 39 minutes on the Metro North train

White Plains is one of the most affordable Westchester commuter towns. A major hub in Westchester County, White Plains has median home prices of $527,173.

Metro North train White plains

The 39-minute ride on the Metro North train is a big draw for city workers.

White Plains has a lively downtown filled with shops, restaurants, and high rises. Its blend of urban and suburban lifestyles appeals to families, professionals, and seniors.

Baldwin, NY

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $550,619
  • Commute Time to NYC: 40 minutes on the LIRR train

Baldwin is one of the most affordable Long Island commuter towns to NYC. Located on Long Island’s South Shore, Baldwin has a median home price of $550,619.

It is a 40 minute LIRR train ride to New York City from Baldwin.

The affordability, and easy commute to NYC make Baldwin a great commuter town.

Stamford, CT

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $581,331
  • Commute Time to NYC: 53 minutes on the Metro North train

Stamford is the most affordable Connecticut commuter town to NYC with median home prices of $581,331.

Located in Connecticut’s Fairfield County, Stamford residents have an easy commute to NYC. The commute to NYC from Stamford is only 53 minutes on the Metro North this is due to the many direct trains to NYC from the Stamford station.

Stamford is a suburban city with a wide range of housing options from downtown high rises to North Stamford’s single-family homes. 

It’s also located on Long Island Sound so the town has several beaches and pools– appealing to families, professionals, and seniors alike.

Check out White Plains, NY vs. Stamford, CT

Jersey City, NJ

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $635,188
  • Commute Time to NYC: 9 minutes (PATH train Newport to Christopher Street)

Jersey City is an affordable commuter town to NYC with median home prices of $635,188.

Liberty State Park in New Jersey

Almost an extension of Manhattan, Jersey City offers urban living with some of the quickest commutes available.

With multiple transportation options, the PATH train offers 24/7 service, reaching Manhattan’s Christopher Street in 9 minutes and 33rd Street in 16 minutes. 

In addition, ferry services from Jersey City’s Paulus Hook get you to Wall Street in a mere 8 minutes. 

With three PATH stations and two ferry terminals scattered across Jersey City, plus numerous NJ Transit buses, residents are always close to a quick NYC connection. 

Beyond commuting, Jersey City is home to a lively downtown filled with shops, restaurants and bars.

Find out which NJ towns have the Lowest Property Taxes

Tarrytown, NY

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $653,510
  • Commute Time to NYC: 40 minutes on the Metro North train

Tarrytown is one of the most affordable Westchester commuter towns to NYC with median home prices of $653,510. 

Tarrytown, NY
Tarrytown, NY

Located on the scenic Hudson River, Tarrytown is a historic village with picturesque Hudson River views and a lively downtown.

Tarrytown residents have an easy 40 minute train ride to Grand Central on the Metro North train.

Check out the Most affordable Rivertowns in Westchester County

New Rochelle, NY

  • Median Sale Price of Homes: $679,731
  • Commute Time to NYC: 36 minutes on the Metro North train

New Rochelle is one of the most affordable commuter towns to NYC. Located in Westchester County, New Rochelle has median home prices of $679,731 which is relatively affordable compared to other neighboring towns.

New Rochelle Metro North train station
New Rochelle Metro North train station

Residents enjoy an easy 36 minute commute on the Metro North train to NYC.

New Rochelle is a  suburban city with a vibrant downtown full of high rises, shops, and restaurants. 

New Rochelle is also home to several town beaches making it an attractive place to live in for NYC commuters.  

Check out: Best NYC Beach Towns Commutable to NYC and Best Suburbs of NYC

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