Staten Island real estate has quietly become one of New York City’s strongest investment plays. While Manhattan grabs headlines and Brooklyn attracts trendy buyers, savvy investors are discovering that Staten Island delivers higher rental yields, lower entry prices, and stronger long-term appreciation than almost any other borough.

But don’t take my word for it — let’s run the numbers. I built an Investment Property ROI Calculator specifically for Staten Island and NYC investors so you can see exactly what your returns could look like before you write a single offer.

Why Staten Island Investment Properties Are Outperforming in 2026

Here’s what the current market data tells us. The median home price on Staten Island sits at approximately $762,000 as of February 2026 — up 4.1% year-over-year. That sounds expensive until you compare it to Brooklyn’s median of over $1.1 million per square foot or Manhattan’s sky-high entry points.

Meanwhile, Staten Island’s rental market is tightening. With only 2.6 months of housing supply available — well below the 4-6 months that define a balanced market — demand for rental units continues to climb. Approximately 78% of current homeowners are locked into mortgage rates below 5%, which means they’re staying put rather than selling. That constrained inventory pushes both sale prices and rental rates higher.

For investors, this creates a compelling equation: lower acquisition costs + rising rents + limited new supply = strong ROI.

Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Investment Breakdown

Not every Staten Island neighborhood delivers the same returns. Here’s where the smart money is flowing right now:

North Shore: St. George, Tompkinsville & Stapleton

The North Shore offers the lowest entry points on the island, with average prices around $652,000. The St. George Ferry Terminal provides a 25-minute commute to Lower Manhattan, making these neighborhoods attractive to renters priced out of Brooklyn. Investors targeting multi-family properties or house-hacking strategies should start here. If you’re considering relocating to Staten Island, the North Shore is where value meets accessibility.

South Shore: Great Kills, Eltingville & Annadale

The South Shore commands higher prices — the average hovers around $885,000 — but these family-oriented neighborhoods deliver premium rental rates and exceptionally low vacancy. Great Kills and Eltingville attract long-term tenants who value top-rated schools, waterfront parks, and suburban quiet. Check out my detailed guide to Great Kills and Eltingville real estate for deeper neighborhood intel.

Mid-Island: Todt Hill & Grymes Hill

Todt Hill remains Staten Island’s luxury corridor, with single-family homes commanding a median of $2.3 million. This isn’t your typical rental play, but investors targeting high-net-worth tenants or long-term appreciation should explore Todt Hill and Grymes Hill properties. For a more accessible mid-island entry point, Annadale and Arden Heights offer strong fundamentals at lower price points.

How to Calculate Your Actual ROI Before You Buy

Most investors make the mistake of only looking at the purchase price and estimated rent. Real ROI factors in closing costs, property taxes, insurance, maintenance reserves, vacancy rates, and mortgage terms. In New York City, closing costs alone can run 3-6% of the purchase price — a number that dramatically affects your first-year returns.

That’s exactly why I built the Investment Property ROI Calculator. Plug in your target property’s purchase price, expected rent, down payment, interest rate, and expenses — and get an instant snapshot of your:

• Cash-on-cash return — your annual cash flow divided by total cash invested
• Cap rate — net operating income as a percentage of property value
• Monthly cash flow — what you actually pocket after all expenses
• Total ROI projection — including equity buildup and appreciation

A Real Example: Two-Family Home in Great Kills

Let’s say you’re looking at a two-family home in Great Kills listed at $750,000. You put 25% down ($187,500), finance the rest at 6.25%, and rent both units for a combined $4,200 per month.

After accounting for property taxes (~$8,500/year on Staten Island), insurance ($2,400/year), maintenance reserves (10% of rent), and a conservative 5% vacancy factor, your estimated monthly cash flow lands around $380-$520 per month. That translates to a cash-on-cash return of roughly 5.8%-7.2% — well above what savings accounts or bonds deliver in the current rate environment.

And that doesn’t include principal paydown or the 4%+ annual appreciation Staten Island properties have averaged. Factor those in over a 5-year hold, and your total annualized return climbs into double digits.

Run your own scenario on the Investment Property ROI Calculator — it takes less than two minutes.

ADU Income: The Hidden Investment Multiplier

New York City recently expanded programs offering homeowners up to $395,000 to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs). If you’re buying a single-family home on Staten Island with ADU potential, you could dramatically boost your rental income without purchasing a separate property. Use my ADU Income Calculator to estimate what that additional unit could generate for your bottom line.

What Smart Investors Are Doing Right Now

The investors I work with on Staten Island are taking advantage of three converging trends:

1. Rate stability. With 30-year fixed rates hovering around 6.2%, the “wait for lower rates” crowd has largely accepted current conditions. Fewer competing buyers means better negotiating leverage.

2. Record-low inventory. New York State housing inventory hit its lowest level on record in February 2026, with just 22,366 homes available statewide. Properties that pencil out as investments are getting snapped up quickly.

3. International buyer interest. A weakening U.S. dollar is making NYC real estate more attractive to European and international buyers — adding upward pressure on prices in every borough, including Staten Island.

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, the data suggests that waiting may cost you more than acting. Use the cost of living data for Staten Island alongside the ROI calculator to build a complete investment picture.