Let the numbers do the talking.
Long Island City, NY vs Ridgewood, NY
Long Island City, NY vs Ridgewood, NY: What the data shows
Long Island City, NY is in Long Island City, NY while Ridgewood, NY is in Ridgewood, NY — both in the same state. On home prices, Ridgewood, NY is the more affordable option at $834,400 median — $176,800 less than Long Island City, NY's $1,011,200. WYLT rates Long Island City, NY as “Think twice” — a neighborhood that warrants careful research before committing — and Ridgewood, NY as “Think twice” — a neighborhood that warrants careful research before committing.
Both neighborhoods have similar safety profiles. Long Island City, NY has Moderate violent crime and Moderate property crime. Ridgewood, NY has Moderate violent crime and Moderate property crime. On environmental risk, Long Island City, NY has Low flood risk and Ridgewood, NY has Low flood risk.
Ridgewood, NY is the more walkable neighborhood. Long Island City, NY scores 83/100 (very walkable) versus Ridgewood, NY's 95/100 (exceptionally walkable). For families weighing school quality, Ridgewood, NY has the higher school rating — Long Island City, NY rates 7.2/10 and Ridgewood, NY rates 7.4/10.
| Category | Long Island City, NY | Ridgewood, NY |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| Verdict | Think twice | Think twice |
| Median Price | $1.01M | $834K ✓ Lower price |
| Median Rent | $3K | $2K ✓ Lower rent |
| Median Income | $110K ✓ Higher income | $85K |
| Price Volatility | High | Moderate ✓ More stable |
| Getting Around | ||
| Walk Score | 83/100 | 95/100 ✓ More walkable |
| Transit Score | 60/100 | 65/100 ✓ Better transit |
| Bike Score | 80/100 | 80/100 |
| Commute | 9 min ✓ Shorter commute | 16 min |
| Safety & Environment | ||
| Safety Grade | D+ | D+ |
| Violent Crime | Moderate | Moderate |
| Property Crime | Moderate | Moderate |
| Flood Risk | Low | Low |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Good ✓ Cleaner air |
| Community | ||
| Schools | 7.2/10 | 7.4/10 ✓ Better schools |
| Best for | Young professionalsCouplesSingles | Young professionalsFamilies with childrenStudents and academics |
Bottom line
If you're a young professional or commuter looking for a lively, walkable area with great schools, Ridgewood is the slightly better choice despite its higher cost. However, if you're on a tighter budget or prioritize a shorter commute, Long Island City might still be worth considering, especially if you're not attached to having a high walk score. Ultimately, both neighborhoods come with significant trade-offs.
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