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Massapequa Park again tops the state, Hicksville and Lindenhurst also are highly ranked — while Indiana dominates national leaderboard
Long Island once again planted its flag at the top of the New York state leaderboard in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Places to Live rankings, with three communities cracking the state’s top seven.
Massapequa Park, Hicksville and Lindenhurst are ranked Nos. 1, 3 and 7, respectively. It’s Massapequa Park’s second year in a row at the head of the pack.
The strong showing places Long Island ahead of every other region in the state, including New York City, Westchester and upstate metropolitan areas.
Massapequa Park is No. 118 nationwide, Hicksville is No. 237, and Lindenhurst finished just outside the top 300 at No. 307.
Massapequa Park keeps winning
The Nassau County South Shore village has now held U.S. News’ No. 1 spot in New York for consecutive years. The village scored high on job availability and posted a median household income that outpaced the national average by nearly $100,000, with an unemployment rate well below the national norm.
U.S. News cited Massapequa Park‘s commute time, cost of living, household income, population and traffic among the factors driving its high score.
Hicksville holds steady
Hicksville earned above-average marks for its job market and median household income. The community’s unemployment rate of 3 percent sits well below the national average, and its median household income of $157,182 is nearly double the national median, according to U.S. News.
Lindenhurst: Suffolk’s standard-bearer
Lindenhurst held its position as Suffolk County’s top-ranked community, while improving to No. 7 statewide. The village has earned recognition for its blend of affordability, suburban character and access to public transit.
Indiana’s one-two punch
For the first time in the ranking’s history, two neighboring suburbs secured the No. 1 and No. 2 spots. Carmel, Indiana, ranked first nationally for its high scores in desirability, affordability and job market. Fishers, Indiana, finished right behind Carmel at No. 2, also rating well for affordability and a strong job market.
The Dallas, Texas, suburb Flower Mound claimed No. 3 nationally.
How U.S. News builds its rankings
U.S. News 2026-2027 Best Places rankings evaluated more than 850 U.S. cities using a methodology that weighs job market, value, quality of life and desirability, the publication notes in a statement.
The measures were calibrated through a public survey of thousands of Americans who shared their priorities for where they’d want to live. The report’s methodology also draws on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau, FBI, FEMA and NOAA.
U.S. News: Top 10 New York places to live for 2026-2027
1. Massapequa Park
Population: 16,855
Average commute: 28 minutes
Median home value: $630,895
Median monthly rent: $2,319
Median household income: $177,815
2. Greece
Population: 13,807
Average commute: 19 minutes
Median home value: $179,782
Median monthly rent: $1,002
Median household income: $71,037
3. Hicksville
Population: 43,626
Average commute: 26 minutes
Median home value: $627,519
Median monthly rent: $2,280
Median household income: $157,182
4. New Rochelle
Population: 88,995
Average commute: 29 minutes
Median home value: $663,009
Median monthly rent: $1,719
Median household income: $113,646
5. White Plains
Population: 63,264
Average commute: 23 minutes
Median home value: $629,781
Median monthly rent: $1,852
Median household income: $119,853
6. Cheektowaga
Population: 75,152
Average commute: 18 minutes
Median home value: $191,932
Median monthly rent: $930
Median household income: $68,288
7. Lindenhurst
Population: 26,909
Average commute: 26 minutes
Median home value: $519,043
Median monthly rent: $1,774
Median household income: $136,352
8. Tonawanda
Population: 14,905
Average commute: 20 minutes
Median home value: $174,721
Median monthly rent: $892
Median household income: $65,176
9. Glens Falls
Population: 12,706
Average commute: 14 minutes
Median home value: $215,079
Median monthly rent: $893
Median household income: $70,678
10. Yonkers
Population: 211,943
Average commute: 31 minutes
Median home value: $538,598
Median monthly rent: $1,631
Median household income: $90,715
Top: Google Maps Street View, GLI file photos and courtesy photo.
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