Are Homeownership Costs Lower on Staten Island or in Brooklyn in 2026?

Homeownership costs are generally lower on Staten Island than in Brooklyn in 2026. Staten Island carries a higher property tax rate but much lower home prices, and for most buyers the lower price wins. This guide compares both boroughs across taxes, prices, insurance, and the real annual bill \u2014 with a clearly labeled section for each.

The short answer

The median Staten Island home is worth roughly $703,000 to $725,000 in 2026, about $300,000 less than a comparable Brooklyn home, which often sits near or above $995,000. Staten Island\u2019s effective property tax rate is higher \u2014 around 0.92% of market value versus Brooklyn\u2019s 0.68% \u2014 yet because Brooklyn homes cost so much more, the Brooklyn tax bill is often the larger one in actual dollars. Lower price, smaller mortgage, smaller down payment: Staten Island usually costs less to own.

How do property taxes compare on Staten Island vs Brooklyn in 2026?

Staten Island (Richmond County) has a higher effective property tax rate \u2014 roughly 0.92% of market value \u2014 than Brooklyn (Kings County) at about 0.68% in 2026. But Brooklyn homes are worth far more, so the actual dollar bill often lands the other way. A $695,000 Staten Island home generates roughly $5,908 a year, while a $995,000 Brooklyn home generates roughly $6,766 a year. The rate is higher on Staten Island; the bill is usually higher in Brooklyn.

The lesson for buyers is to ignore the headline rate and look at the dollar bill. A higher percentage on a lower value can easily cost less than a lower percentage on a much higher value. Run the numbers on the specific home, not the borough average. Our monthly mortgage payment guide for Staten Island and Brooklyn shows how taxes fold into the total payment.

Which borough has lower home prices in 2026?

Staten Island has lower home prices than Brooklyn in 2026 \u2014 the median Staten Island home runs about $703,000 to $725,000, roughly $300,000 less than a comparable Brooklyn home, which often sits near or above $995,000. That price gap is the single biggest driver of the difference in total homeownership cost between the two boroughs.

If you\u2019re buying on Staten Island, here\u2019s what\u2019s different

Staten Island\u2019s housing stock is mostly one- and two-family detached, semi-attached, and townhouse homes, which means no monthly maintenance or common charges in most cases. Buyers get more square footage and a driveway or garage for the money, especially on the South Shore. The trade-offs are a higher tax rate and, for many households, the cost of owning a car and a longer commute into Manhattan. To see where a specific home lands, start with a free Staten Island home valuation.

If you\u2019re buying in Brooklyn, here\u2019s what\u2019s different

Brooklyn buyers pay a higher purchase price and often take on a co-op or condo, which adds monthly maintenance or common charges \u2014 sometimes several hundred to over a thousand dollars \u2014 on top of taxes and the mortgage. Co-op purchases also mean board approval and stricter financing rules. What you buy with that premium is density, walkability, and transit access that Staten Island generally cannot match. Check what your Brooklyn home is worth to anchor the comparison.

What other homeownership costs differ between the boroughs?

Beyond price and taxes, Brooklyn co-ops and condos carry monthly maintenance or common charges that Staten Island\u2019s mostly one- and two-family housing stock does not. Homeowners insurance has risen sharply across NYC \u2014 up roughly 46% since 2021 \u2014 and waterfront or flood-zone homes in both boroughs pay more. Staten Island owners more often factor in a car and commuting cost, while many Brooklyn owners trade a higher price for walkability and transit.

Closing costs follow the same pattern \u2014 New York\u2019s mansion tax starts at 1% on sales of $1M or more, which catches far more Brooklyn buyers than Staten Island buyers given the price gap. Our guide to closing costs in both boroughs breaks down every line item.

Is it cheaper to own a home on Staten Island or in Brooklyn?

For most buyers, Staten Island is cheaper to own in 2026. The lower purchase price means a smaller mortgage, a smaller down payment, and a lower annual tax bill in absolute dollars, even though Staten Island\u2019s tax rate is higher. Brooklyn buyers pay more in nearly every line item but gain density, transit, and certain property types Staten Island does not offer. The right answer depends on what you are buying and how you live.

Who can help me compare the true cost of owning in each borough?

Joseph Ranola helps buyers compare the real, all-in cost of owning on Staten Island versus in Brooklyn. As Team Leader of the Bridge and Boro Real Estate Team at Real Broker LLC, with 80+ five-star reviews and $40M+ closed across both boroughs, he runs the price, tax, insurance, and carrying-cost numbers side by side so you can decide with real data. Call or text (917) 905-2541. For the full picture, read who is the best realtor on Staten Island and who is the best realtor in Brooklyn, or work with Joseph Ranola directly.