White Plains vs New Rochelle: Which is Right for You?

White Plains vs New Rochelle? Are you trying to decide where to move to in Westchester County? Should you move to White Plains, NY? Or should you move to New Rochelle, NY? Both are cities in Westchester County and are very similar in many ways.

Below we will compare White Plains to New Rochelle. We will pay close attention to things that matter- compare home prices, the cost of living, commute to NYC, walkability, proximity to beaches, Universal Pre-K, and the downtown restaurant scene.

White Plains vs New Rochelle

White Plains, NY

White Plains is a vibrant and diverse city in Westchester County, New York. It serves as the county seat and is home to a bustling downtown area with shops, restaurants, and high rises.

White Plains offers a mix of urban and suburban living, making it an attractive choice for families, young professionals, and seniors alike.

New Rochelle, NY

New Rochelle is a city located right along Long Island Sound in Westchester County, New York. It’s a mix of suburban and urban neighborhoods, some with picturesque views of the Long Island Sound.

The downtown is urban with high rises, shops, and restaurants. Similar to White Plains, it’s also an appealing place to live for families, young professionals, and seniors.

Median Sale Price of Homes: White Plains vs New Rochelle

The median sale price of homes in New Rochelle is a little higher than in White Plains, NY. According to Redfin, the median sale price of homes in White Plains is $511,000. While the median sale price of homes in New Rochelle is $674,000.

Demographics: White Plains vs New Rochelle

White Plains has a population of around 58,000 people, with 18.8% of the population being children under the age of 18, and 17.4% of the population being 65 years of age or older. Approximately 55.7% of the adult population in White Plains is single.

New Rochelle has a population of approximately 79,000 people, with 20.5% of households having children under the age of 18, and 17.6% of the population being 65 years of age or older. Around 52.8% of the adult population in New Rochelle are single.

Both White Plains and New Rochelle are pretty similar in terms of population and breakdown of families, seniors and singles.

Source: Demographic data is from the US Census American Community Survey

Commute to NYC: White Plains versus New Rochelle

White Plains is conveniently located on the Metro-North’s Harlem Line, with express trains taking approximately 39 minutes to reach Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan.

White Plains is an express MTA stop so there is a high frequency of trains at the White Plains station– you will not have to wait long at the platform to board a train!

New Rochelle is served by the Metro-North’s New Haven Line, with express trains taking approximately 36 minutes to reach Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan.

One good thing about New Rochelle is it’s a transportation hub. Aside from the easy commute to Manhattan. New Rochelle is also an Amtrak station so you can catch the train to Boston and Washington DC!

Both White Plains and New Rochelle are pretty similar in terms of commuting to NYC.

Proximity to Beach: New Rochelle, NY vs White Plains, NY

If you’re a beach lover, you’ll find New Rochelle to be a fantastic place to live, as it’s nestled right along the beautiful Long Island Sound. Residents get to enjoy stunning waterfront views and fun-filled beach days at Glen Island Park, a popular beach in New Rochelle.

With lots of opportunities for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports, as well as picnic areas, playgrounds, and fishing spots, Glen Island Park is perfect for anyone looking to be active out in the water.

On the other hand, White Plains is located a bit further inland, which means no beaches within the city itself. However, White Plains residents do have access to Westchester beaches. It is a 14-minute drive from White Plains to the beaches in Rye.

So, if having a beach in your backyard is a must-have, then New Rochelle, with its very own beach at Glen Island Park, is definitely the way to go! However, if you don’t mind driving to a nearby town, then White Plains is a good choice too!

Walkability: New Rochelle vs White Plains

When it comes to strolling around town, both New Rochelle and White Plains are walkable. Both White Plains and New Rochelle have walkable downtowns so you can easily walk to shops and restaurants.

Plus you can also walk to the train stations. If being able to walk everywhere is important for you then you should consider living in the downtown areas at either White Plains or New Rochelle.

Restaurants: White Plains vs New Rochelle

When it comes to the restaurant scene, both New Rochelle and White Plains have plenty to offer, each with its own unique flavors and dining experiences.

In White Plains, you’ll find a diverse selection of restaurants, ranging from casual eateries to upscale dining. The city boasts a variety of cuisine options, including Italian, Mexican, Japanese, and more.

In fact, White Plains is home to Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, TVB by: Pax Romana.

White Plains is also just a few minutes drive to other Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants- Rafele Rye in Rye, Cafe Alaia in Scarsdale and Burrata in Eastchester.

New Rochelle is very similar to White Plains with a wide variety of dining options, with a particular focus on local and family-owned establishments. The city is home to a variety of ethnic cuisines, including Italian, Greek, Mexican, and more.

New Rochelle is also home to Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants. In fact, it is home to two Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants- Maria Restaurant and Dubrovnik!

And similar to White Plains, New Rochelle is also within a few minutes drive to other Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants, Tredici Social n Bronxville (16 minutes), and Macelleria Italian Steakhouse in Pelham (8 minutes).

Both White Plains and New Rochelle are very similar in terms of having Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants and diverse dining options. No matter which city you choose, you’ll be sure to find a restaurant to satisfy your cravings!

Universal Pre-K: White Plains vs New Rochelle

Families living in White Plains and New Rochelle have access to the Universal Pre-K program. Children in White Plains and New Rochelle can attend Pre-K for free! The Universal Pre-K program is for 4-year-old residents.

Cost of Living: White Plains vs New Rochelle

Compared to other Westchester County towns, White Plains and New Rochelle are affordable places to live in Westchester County. According to our cost of living calculators, it costs a family of four $10,980.55 a month to live in White Plains while it costs a family of four $11,134 a month to live in New Rochelle.

Find out how we did the math: White Plains Cost of Living Calculator and New Rochelle Cost of Living Calculator

The cost of living in both cities are comparable. With New Rochelle’s cost of living slightly higher because the median sale price of homes in New Rochelle is slightly higher.

Conclusion: White Plains vs New Rochelle

Both White Plains and New Rochelle are very similar. They both offer a combination of an urban and suburban lifestyle, with walkable downtowns and an easy commute to NYC. Plus the home prices are similar.

The only difference is that New Rochelle is on Long Island Sound so if you are looking for homes with waterfront views and you want beaches right in town, then New Rochelle may be right for you.

Still can’t decide? We suggest you house hunt in both White Plains and New Rochelle. Spend a day in each city- take a stroll around downtown, eat at the restaurants, and get a feel for what it’s like to live there. The choice ultimately depends on your personal preferences.

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