September 02, 2025
Lately, one of the most noticeable shifts in the NYC housing market has been the steady flow of Brooklyn residents making their way to Staten Island. According to a recent PropertyShark report, 12% of Brooklyn homebuyers in 2025 chose Staten Island as their new home — making it the top cross-borough migration in the city this year.
The reason is simple: affordability and space. Brooklyn’s median home sale price in early 2025 sat around $850,000, while Staten Island averaged $708,000. For families looking for more room without leaving New York City altogether, the island offers detached homes, larger lots, and quiet, tree-lined neighborhoods — all while remaining connected to the city via the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and the ferry.
This isn’t a brand-new trend. During the pandemic, Brooklynites fled cramped apartments for Staten Island’s bigger homes and private yards. That migration wave hasn’t completely slowed — in fact, Staten Island realtors say a quarter of their current sales are still to Brooklyn buyers.
Neighborhoods closest to the bridge, like New Dorp, Bay Terrace, and Tottenville, are particularly attractive to families who want suburban comfort with city access.
What’s especially telling is that once people make the move, they tend to stay. Staten Island offers more than just affordability — it delivers a lifestyle change: more space, quieter streets, and strong community ties, without giving up the convenience of NYC living.
For buyers priced out of Brooklyn but not ready to leave the city, Staten Island has become the natural next step.
Disclaimer: This content is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as financial, tax, legal, or insurance advice.
