Best Places to Live in Westchester – 2024 Guide

Dreaming of a charming escape from the city bustle? Look no further than Westchester County! Spanning 450 square miles and encompassing a vibrant mix of cities, towns, and villages, Westchester offers a wealth of options to suit every lifestyle.

Plus, with easy access to New York City via road and mass transit, you can enjoy the best of both worlds – peaceful suburban living with the excitement of the city just a hop, skip, and a jump away.

If you are planning on making a move to the suburbs, read on to discover the best places to live in Westchester County.

Best Places to Live in Westchester

1- Scarsdale

Avg Home Price: $1,382,938

 

Scarsdale is one of the best towns in Westchester. With a population of 18,253, it is just 35 minutes from Manhattan. The town offers luxurious single-family homes in styles ranging from late Victorian to Tudor to Gothic Revival. Scarsdale is Westchester’s wealthiest town, with a median household income of over $250,000, according to Bloomberg.

It is home to many high-end boutiques and shops and offers some of the best fine dining in Westchester. Zachys, a nationally recognized wine and spirits emporium, is also located here. This leafy suburb is known for its excellent schools, strong community spirit, and easy access to New York City.

2- Rye

Avg Home Price: $2,0941,71

Rye is a coastal city in Westchester County known for its beautiful waterfront, which makes up 60 percent of the city’s six square miles. With a population of 16,248, Rye offers a charming and scenic place to live.

One of the city’s highlights is Playland, a historic amusement park that features the Dragon Coaster, one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the Northeast. The median household income in Rye is $108,791, reflecting the area’s affluent community.

3- Bronxville

Avg Home Price: $1,447,247

 

Bronxville is a charming English-style village nestled along the banks of the Bronx River in southern Westchester County, New York. Located approximately 15 miles north of Midtown Manhattan, it has a population of 6,656. In 2016, CNBC rated Bronxville as the most expensive suburb of any of the ten largest U.S. cities, with a median home value of $2.33 million.

Its proximity to the cultural and business center of the world, just a 28-minute train ride to Grand Central Station, has helped Bronxville grow into a model suburban community. It’s known as a “suburb that is endlessly copied, but never matched.”

4- Harrison

Avg Home Price: $1,285,437

 

Harrison, situated 22 miles north of Manhattan, is another one of the best Westchester County towns. With a population of over 27,000, residents appreciate its convenient access to shopping, dining, recreation, and public transportation.

The town is famous for its annual “It’s Great to Live in Harrison/Columbus Day” celebration, which draws thousands of attendees. Spanning about 17 square miles, Harrison is also home to major corporations like Mastercard and PepsiCo, which have established their headquarters there.

5- New Rochelle

Avg Home Price: $841,424

 

New Rochelle, nestled just 17 miles from Midtown Manhattan, stands as a vibrant suburb of New York City. With a population of 82,288, it offers a blend of urban convenience and suburban tranquility. One of its popular spots, “New Roc City,” boasts a variety of eateries and entertainment options.

Commuters enjoy seamless access to major highways like I-95 and the Hutchinson River Parkway, facilitating easy travel to the bustling city or the three major New York area airports. Additionally, New Rochelle is home to two esteemed golf clubs: Wykagyl Country Club and Pelham Country Club, adding to its allure as a desirable place to live in Westchester.

6- Bedford

Avg Home Price: $1,426,522

Bedford, an incorporated town in Westchester County, is a farm-filled haven founded in the mid-1600s. With a population of 17,309, it contains the three hamlets of Bedford Hills, Bedford, and Katonah. Each hamlet has its own library, making it convenient for residents.

Commuting to New York City takes about an hour via Interstate 684, making it a great place for those who work in the city but prefer a quieter home environment.

7- Pound Ridge

Avg Home Price: $1,233,710

Pound Ridge is a charming town in northern Westchester County, 19 miles northeast of White Plains and 43 miles north of midtown Manhattan. With a population of 5,082, the town includes the hamlets of Pound Ridge, Sarles Corners, and Scotts Corners.

Pound Ridge offers many community services and facilities, including schools, a library, highway services, recreation facilities, senior services, and recycling. This makes it a great place to live for families and individuals alike.

8- Dobbs Ferry

Avg Home Price: $906,984

Another one of the best towns in Westchester County is Dobbs Ferry, with a population of 11,456. Movoto ranked Dobbs Ferry seventh on the list of the top 10 places to live in New York State. It is also the first village in New York State to be certified as a Climate Smart Community, achieving the highest level in 2014.

Home to Mercy College, the town offers great educational and employment opportunities. Dobbs Ferry also features Waterfront Park along the Hudson River, which has playgrounds, sports fields, and plenty of open green space.

9- Larchmont

Avg Home Price: $1,523,750

 

Larchmont is a charming village located within the Town of Mamaroneck in Westchester County. As a suburb of New York City, it is about 18 miles northeast of Midtown Manhattan. With a population of 6,488, Larchmont offers a small-town feel. US Route 1 runs through the village via the Boston Post Road, and I-95 borders its northwest side.

In February 2019, Bloomberg ranked Larchmont as the 15th wealthiest place in the United States and the third wealthiest in New York. The village also features a sun-soaked waterfront, where residents enjoy summer activities like sailing, kayaking, and swimming.

10- Mount Pleasant

Avg Home Price: $879,000

Mount Pleasant, located just 27 miles north of Manhattan, is a great place to live in Westchester. With a population of 44,436, it includes the hamlets of Valhalla, Hawthorne, Pocantico Hills, and Thornwood, as well as the villages of Pleasantville, Sleepy Hollow, and part of Briarcliff Manor.

The town is home to top-notch medical care facilities like Westchester Medical Center and Phelps Hospital. Foodies and nature lovers will enjoy Rockefeller State Park Preserve, where you can hike scenic trails and dine at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, a two-star Michelin-rated restaurant and one of the best in the world.

11- Irvington

Avg Home Price: $1,157,018

Irvington, also known as Irvington-on-Hudson, is a cozy suburban village nestled within the town of Greenburgh in Westchester County. Situated just 20 miles north of midtown Manhattan in New York City, its convenient location attracts residents who work in the city, giving it the nickname of a “commuter town” or a “bedroom community.”

With a population of 6,652, Irvington offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city while still providing easy access to urban amenities. Renowned as the “Best Place to Live in Westchester” by Westchester Magazine in 2010, Irvington boasts attractions such as the charming Irvington Theater, adding to its appeal as a desirable residential area.