Top NYC Commuter Towns

Maybe you love New York but don’t always want to be in the heart of the big city, or it is just too expensive. Regardless of your reason, living in a commuter town might be the best decision for you. These towns offer lower rent prices and calmer atmospheres compared to NYC. Don’t worry about long commute times; commuter towns are well-connected by public transportation like trains and rail systems.

The best commuter towns to NYC are:

• Jersey City, NJ
• Newark, NJ
• Stamford, CT
• Norwalk, CT
• Greenwich, CT
• Garden City, Long Island, NY
• Rockville Centre, Long Island, NY
• Great Neck, Long Island, NY
• Mount Vernon, Westchester County, NY
• Yonkers, Westchester County, NY

What Is a Commuter Town?

A commuter town is a city where residents live but typically travel to nearby cities for work. Drawn by affordability, convenience, and lifestyle, renters flock to these towns. Many of the towns and cities surrounding New York are considered commuter towns because residents travel to NYC for work. However, not all places around New York City are commuter towns, as they should meet certain conditions.

The main characteristics of commuter towns are the commute time and accessibility to NYC. They go hand in hand because public transportation, like rail systems and trains, makes getting to New York quick and easy. You don’t want to have to make complicated transfers or travel for two or more hours for a daily commute.

Ways to Commute to NYC

There are many ways to commute to NYC, and the methods vary depending on where you live. The most popular ways to commute are:

• MTA Metro-North Railroad
• MTA Long Island Rail Road
• NJ Transit Commuter Rail
• Amtrak
• Motor Vehicle

Rush hour affects all modes of transportation. You might have to wait for a train with space, but they also run more frequently during busy times. Cars are heavily impacted as traffic can clog up roadways and add time to your commute. As of January 5, 2025, New York City has congestion pricing on motor vehicles, so they will have to pay a toll; check the MTA’s website for the latest news.

Jersey City, NJ

• Average Rent in Jersey City: $3,186/month
• Average Rent in NYC: $3,930/month

Jersey City is across the Hudson River from New York, which makes commutes short. It is perfect if you are looking for a slightly more affordable option than renting in NYC, but don’t want long commutes. During peak hours, commutes by car can go up to 60–90+ minutes or more. Trains are quicker. Depending on the route, it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.

If you live in Jersey City, the main ways to get to NYC are the NJ Transit Commuter Rail and the PATH train. Depending on your neighborhood in Jersey City, you might have to take the light rail, drive, or walk to Hoboken station for the PATH train or Secaucus Junction for the commuter rail.

While many come to Jersey City because of excellent transit options, they stay because they fall in love with the developing city. New opportunities are constantly springing up with museums opening, apartments being built, and major businesses moving to Downtown Jersey City. You can shop and eat on the waterfront or along Grove Street at the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza.

Newark, NJ

• Average Rent in Newark: $1,521/month
• Average Rent in NYC: $3,930/month

Newark is farther away from NYC, but it is much more affordable. As one of the best commuter towns in NJ to get to NYC, you can take Amtrak or the NJ Transit Commuter Rail straight to the big city. From there, you can take the MTA subway to your destination. Newark Penn Station, Newark Liberty, and Newark Broad Street stations serve the city, so you can catch the train no matter where you live.

Trains are quick, as there is a direct route into NYC; the average commute is 20-30 minutes. Driving can take longer, especially during rush hour. Under normal traffic conditions, it takes 40–45 minutes to get to NYC, so expect 1–1.5+ hour commute times.

Affordability is a huge reason why people choose to live in commuter towns compared to NYC, and Newark offers one of the lowest average rents. While it is not as big a city as New York, it has plenty to do, from restaurants, shopping, and cultural attractions in Downtown Newark to exploring expansive parks, such as Branch Brook Park. Frequent travelers and commuters love the transportation options with the NJ Transit Rail System, Amtrak, and Newark Liberty International Airport.

Stamford, CT

• Average Rent in Stamford: $2,724/month
• Average Rent in NYC: $3,930/month

As one of the best places to live in Connecticut, Stamford combines city, nature, and history. With an Amtrak station and a Metro-North Railroad station, commuting to New York requires no complicated transfers. It takes about an hour to get into NYC by train, and driving is slower, taking anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

Stamford gives residents a city atmosphere without the extreme hecticness of New York. Downtown Stamford Historic District is filled with shopping, dining, and attractions for urban entertainment. On the coast of Long Island Sound, Stamford has many beautiful beaches, harbors, and waterfronts to relax and watch the water.

Norwalk, CT

• Average Rent in Norwalk: $2,400/month
• Average Rent in NYC: $3,930/month

If you continue north past Stamford, you will find Norwalk, a city with a calm lifestyle. The New Haven Line of the Metro-North Railroad runs through Norwalk; both the East Norwalk and South Norwalk stations provide access to the line. It will take you all the way to New York in an hour and 20 minutes. If you drive, you’ll pass by plenty of beautiful scenery, but it will take 1.5 to 2.5 hours to get to NYC.

Norwalk embodies the term historic, coastal town with its lighthouses and Colonial and Cape Cod houses. The Norwalk Islands lie off the coast, a popular kayaking, fishing, clamming, and wildlife spotting destination. It is not all nature, as there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and city activities in SoNo(South Norwalk).

Greenwich, CT

• Average Rent in Greenwich: $3,401/month
• Average Rent in NYC: $3,930/month

10 minutes from the Connecticut/New York border, Greenwich puts you in an upscale suburb. The city is served by the same New Haven Line that runs through Norwalk and Stamford on the Metro-North Railroad. There is only one station in Greenwich, so you might have to drive to get to it. Taking the train saves you a lot of time, as it only takes 45–60 minutes, while driving takes 1–2.5 hours.

Greenwich is known for being an affluent community with small-town charm. Beautiful mansions dot the coastline overlooking the waters of Long Island Sound. Upscale shops and restaurants reside in Colonial Revival buildings that line Greenwich Avenue in Downtown Greenwich. You’ll have lots of space to spread out and enjoy when you rent in Greenwich.

Garden City, Long Island, NY

• Average Rent in Garden City: $3,532/month
• Average Rent in NYC: $3,930/month

On Long Island, Garden City offers a small-town atmosphere near New York. It takes just 40-60 minutes to get to NYC from the city with both the Port Jefferson Branch and Hempstead Branch of the Long Island Rail Road providing plenty of stations. Because of traffic, commutes by car average 1–2.5 hours.

While Garden City is not cheap, it is worth the price tag because of its cozy atmosphere, excellent schools, friendly community, and beautiful scenery. There is a great selection of restaurants and boutiques on Franklin Avenue and 7^th Street. Golf is big in Garden City as it is home to several golf clubs, including the Garden City Golf Club, one of the oldest and most exclusive golf clubs in the United States.

Rockville Centre, Long Island, NY

• Average Rent in Rockville Centre: $3,097/month
• Average Rent in NYC: $3,930/month

Grown into a city of its own, Rockville Centre has plenty of urban fun without the vastness of New York. The Babylon Branch of the Long Island Rail Road stops at the Rockville Centre station, so you can get to NYC in an average of 40 minutes. A mere 40 minutes is preferable to the 1.5 to 2.5 hours it would take by car.

When you come home to Rockville Centre, you can enjoy the lively downtown with plenty of shopping, dining, and nightlife. Events frequently fill the streets downtown, where residents catch up and hang out. The rest of the city is peaceful, so you can rest and recharge. Several ponds, rivers, and lakes border the city for an escape into nature.

Great Neck, Long Island, NY

• Average Rent in Great Neck: $3,017/month
• Average Rent in NYC: $3,930/month

Great Neck is one of Long Island’s most desirable communities because of its beautiful neighborhoods, pedestrian-friendly areas, safety, and renowned schools. This is why residents live in Great Neck even if they commute to New York. The trip isn’t bad; you can hop on the Long Island Rail Road Port Washington Branch at the Great Neck station. You might need to drive to the station, but it is only a 30–45 minute train ride from there. If you drive, expect an hour to two hours of travel time.

A charming, suburban community, Great Neck is fantastic because of its highly rated schools, wonderful parks, quaint downtown, and peaceful atmosphere. While it may not have many, the shops and restaurants at Great Neck Plaza and along Middle Neck Road are excellent, with locals flocking to them during their free time. Nature pops up everywhere with bays, parks, creeks, and ponds dotted through the city.

Mount Vernon, Westchester County, NY

• Average Rent in Mount Vernon: $1,625/month
• Average Rent in NYC: $3,930/month

Mount Vernon is ideal if you’re looking to save money, as it has a low average rent compared to NYC. Just outside of New York City, in Westchester County, you can get on the New Haven Line or the Harlem Line of the Metro-North Railroad, depending on your location. Regardless of which line you take, your commute will be an average of 25–35 minutes. If you can brave the traffic, driving takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.

Offering affordability and proximity to NYC, Mount Vernon has it all. Residents love hanging out along The Avenue, the entertainment district in Downtown Mount Vernon. The Bronx River winds along the east side, and several parks are scattered around the city to explore.

Yonkers, Westchester County, NY

• Average Rent in Yonkers: $2,170/month
• Average Rent in NYC: $3,930/month

On the edge of the Hudson River, Yonkers has affordable rent and convenience, right outside of NYC. The city is bracketed by the Hudson and Harlem Line of the Metro-North Railroad; a station is only a short trip away, no matter where you are. Commute times range from 30–45 minutes by train, while driving takes 40 minutes to 1.5 hours.

Yonkers hits the sweet spot with its mix of city amenities and natural beauty. Tibbetts Brook Park has trails and gazebos beside the pond that make you forget you are in a city.  Downtown Yonkers embraces that city vibe with modern shops, restaurants, and museums in historic buildings on the riverfront — a local destination for strolling and relaxing.

Find an Apartment Near Public Transportation on Apartments.com

To see if the apartments you are looking at are near public transit, use the transit map layer on Apartments.com. Click on the “options” button on the map, then select “transit” under “nearby points of interests.” Lines will pop up showing the location of public transportation, and if you scroll in a bit, stations will appear so you can see if you will have easy access to one.

You can also find an apartment with a great commute time by selecting the “search by commute time” choice under the options menu. Once you select that, you will input your destination, select your transportation method, and choose your ideal commute time. The map will recalibrate following the guidelines you chose. It is perfect to make sure you aren’t surprised by a long commute when you move.