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These Are The 10 Most Successful Cities In New York

By Chris Kolmar
Jun. 27, 2016
Last Modified and Fact Checked on:

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Top 10 Most Successful Cities in New York for 2026

Success is a multifaceted concept that often eludes a simple definition. Is it the size of your bank account, the satisfaction of delivering an impactful presentation, or perhaps the joy of sharing a laugh with friends? The truth is, success can vary greatly from person to person—it is subjective and not easily quantifiable.

At Zippia, we believe in using measurable data to explore success. By employing rigorous analysis, we’ve determined the ten most successful cities in New York for 2026. Here’s the definitive list:

  1. Lawrence
  2. Pelham Manor
  3. North Hills
  4. Irvington
  5. Scarsdale
  6. Rye
  7. Briarcliff Manor
  8. Pelham
  9. Garden City
  10. Sea Cliff

If you find yourself questioning our list, keep reading to understand the methodology behind these selections.

How We Determined the Most Successful Cities in New York

Success is often equated with financial wealth, leading many to believe that higher income equates to greater success. However, our analysis considers various factors, including community support, economic resilience, and overall quality of life. For our 2026 rankings, we utilized the most recent data from reliable sources and local surveys to gauge success beyond mere income levels.

1. Lawrence

Population: 6,511
Median Income: $142,864
Poverty Level: 0.6%
Unemployment Rate: 2.4%

2. Pelham Manor

Population: 5,539
Median Income: $173,140
Poverty Level: 2.1%
Unemployment Rate: 2.5%

3. North Hills

Population: 5,122
Median Income: $114,950
Poverty Level: 1.0%
Unemployment Rate: 1.6%

4. Irvington

Population: 6,506
Median Income: $137,500
Poverty Level: 2.3%
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%

5. Scarsdale

Population: 17,471
Median Income: $241,453
Poverty Level: 2.3%
Unemployment Rate: 5.5%

6. Rye

Population: 15,892
Median Income: $155,422
Poverty Level: 2.9%
Unemployment Rate: 5.9%

7. Briarcliff Manor

Population: 7,783
Median Income: $144,006
Poverty Level: 4.4%
Unemployment Rate: 4.4%

8. Pelham

Population: 6,984
Median Income: $118,125
Poverty Level: 3.9%
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%

9. Garden City

Population: 22,543
Median Income: $152,401
Poverty Level: 3.8%
Unemployment Rate: 5.5%

10. Sea Cliff

Population: 5,012
Median Income: $107,256
Poverty Level: 3.7%
Unemployment Rate: 4.2%

Measuring Success

If you’re questioning whether such metrics can genuinely determine a city’s success, you’re not alone. While financial indicators are significant, true success encompasses community engagement, quality of life, and individual fulfillment. Congratulations to Lawrence and the other top cities. And to those who didn’t make the list this year, there’s always next year!

Detailed List of the Most Successful Cities in New York

Rank City Median Income Poverty Rate Unemployment Rate
1 Lawrence $142,864 0.6% 2.4%
2 Pelham Manor $173,140 2.1% 2.5%
3 North Hills $114,950 1.0% 1.6%
4 Irvington $137,500 2.3% 4.3%
5 Scarsdale $241,453 2.3% 5.5%
6 Rye $155,422 2.9% 5.9%
7 Briarcliff Manor $144,006 4.4% 4.4%
8 Pelham $118,125 3.9% 4.5%
9 Garden City $152,401 3.8% 5.5%
10 Sea Cliff $107,256 3.7% 4.2%
11 East Hills $171,964 5.2% 5.0%
12 Bayville $98,704 4.7% 2.6%
13 Kings Point $113,393 6.3% 3.8%
14 Larchmont $152,448 5.0% 6.3%
15 Floral Park $106,134 3.1% 6.5%
16 Malverne $114,497 0.6% 8.1%
17 Dobbs Ferry $113,062 4.8% 6.3%
18 Woodbury $124,400 4.7% 6.7%
19 Rockville Centre $108,456 4.3% 6.6%
20 Northport $112,316 3.5% 7.4%
21 Hastings-on-Hudson $119,474 5.3% 6.6%
22 Massapequa Park $114,574 2.2% 8.4%
23 Babylon $101,549 4.1% 6.6%
24 East Rockaway $93,833 3.5% 6.5%
25 Bronxville $193,333 3.5% 8.6%
26 Wesley Hills $103,014 2.7% 7.5%
27 Airmont $89,743 5.5% 4.4%
28 Farmingdale $70,603 2.8% 6.0%
29 Hamburg $69,663 3.0% 5.9%
30 Chestnut Ridge $105,489 6.0% 6.1%
31 Croton-on-Hudson $131,546 3.5% 8.6%
32 New Hempstead $113,628 1.8% 9.5%
33 Williston Park $101,921 3.2% 7.5%
34 Chittenango $64,720 4.6% 2.4%
35 New Hyde Park $99,469 4.4% 6.8%
36 Mineola $81,177 5.6% 4.6%
37 Westbury $85,086 6.1% 5.0%
38 Pleasantville $105,714 2.6% 9.1%
39 Lindenhurst $84,414 4.5% 6.4%
40 Hilton $58,250 2.9% 6.3%
41 Rye Brook $139,741 4.2% 9.8%
42 Lake Grove $92,173 9.3% 5.0%
43 East Aurora $65,045 6.1% 3.8%
44 Port Jefferson $111,042 7.9% 6.9%
45 Harrison $111,122 8.0% 7.0%
46 Washingtonville $72,668 5.1% 6.3%
47 Colonie $76,951 5.5% 6.2%
48 Monroe $98,864 9.1% 6.3%
49 Goshen $69,792 4.7% 6.4%
50 Horseheads $53,620 7.6% 3.7%
51 Amityville $81,135 9.4% 5.8%
52 Long Beach $83,396 8.5% 6.2%
53 Tarr $91,906 4.4% 8.9%
54 Patchogue $70,035 11.3% 5.1%
55 Nyack $63,173 9.9% 5.3%
56 Wappingers Falls $54,206 10.7% 4.6%
57 Williamsville $60,700 8.2% 6.0%
58 White Plains $81,743 9.1% 6.9%
59 Fairport $68,591 3.3% 9.3%
60 Cedarhurst $87,353 6.4% 8.1%
61 Lynbrook $87,712 5.4% 9.1%
62 Scotia $57,179 6.7% 6.5%
63 Waterloo $49,883 14.3% 3.4%
64 Kenmore $50,880 8.5% 5.8%
65 Glen Cove $65,267 13.3% 5.9%
66 Suffern $80,733 6.3% 8.4%
67 West Haverstraw $82,320 8.2% 8.2%
68 Tuckahoe $69,966 7.3% 8.2%
69 Mamaroneck $85,865 9.4% 8.4%
70 Warwick $65,720 5.4% 9.1%
71 Great Neck Plaza $58,276 4.1% 9.8%
72 Great Neck $81,778 5.7% 10.2%
73 Valley Stream $88,145 6.5% 10.3%
74 Saratoga Springs $67,303 9.4% 7.5%
75 Baldwinsville $45,833 9.3% 6.8%
76 New Rochelle $68,270 9.5% 8.3%
77 Depew $49,291 10.0% 7.1%
78 Manorhaven $82,758 8.0% 10.6%
79 Mount Kisco $71,727 14.0% 7.9%
80 North Syracuse $46,470 5.5% 8.9%
81 Oneida $46,958 13.4% 7.0%
82 Fredonia $45,714 25.9% 5.8%
83 Rome $44,694 16.7% 6.6%
84 Port Chester $56,134 13.5% 7.7%
85 North Tonawanda $47,604 9.9% 7.7%
86 Solvay $41,919 14.6% 6.9%
87 Geneva $40,428 24.5% 6.3%
88 Sleepy Hollow $58,672 12.7% 8.8%
89 Lancaster $51,924 7.0% 9.9%
90 Watervliet $44,159 13.1% 7.7%
91 Ossining $68,533 16.7% 8.9%
92 Freeport $67,056 12.8% 9.7%
93 Webster $35,509 22.2% 6.3%
94 Walden $64,924 12.6% 9.6%
95 Tonawanda $46,026 10.2% 8.8%
96 Corning $48,791 17.2% 7.7%
97 Mechanicville $43,355 18.8% 7.4%
98 Haverstraw $56,714 13.5% 9.2%
99 Malone $36,194 25.0% 6.6%
100 East Rochester $47,492 13.4% 8.8%
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Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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