The Best of the North Shore

Huntington and Mount Sinai are both beloved North Shore communities in Suffolk County, but they serve very different buyer profiles. Huntington — with its vibrant downtown village, harbor dining, and nationally recognized cultural institutions — is one of Long Island’s most sought-after addresses. Mount Sinai, just 20 miles to the east, offers a quieter, more affordable alternative with its own beach, harbor, and strong community identity. This comparison will help you decide which North Shore gem is right for you.

As of 2025, Huntington’s median home price ranges from $755,000 to $959,000 depending on the data source and month, with the Town of Huntington commanding median listing prices of $838,668 (Rocket Homes). Mount Sinai’s median of $640,000–$733,000 makes it notably more accessible, particularly for first-time buyers and young families.

1. Real Estate Market Analysis

Metric	Huntington	Mt. Sinai
Median Home Price	$755K–$959K	$640K–$733K
Median $/Sq Ft	$397–$458	$318–$334
Avg. Days on Market	33–45	28–58
Median Sale (12-mo)	$900,000	$640,000
Inventory	~790 homes	~47–68 homes
YoY Appreciation	+7–9.2%	+11.6–16.3%

Notably, Mount Sinai has been appreciating faster than Huntington on a year-over-year basis. Homes priced in the $600K–$750K range represent an entry point that is increasingly rare in Huntington, where even Huntington Station commands medians near $649,000 with less square footage.

2. Downtown Life & Culture

Huntington Village is one of Long Island’s crown jewels. Main Street buzzes with independent boutiques, farm-to-table restaurants, craft cocktail bars, and ice cream shops. The Paramount Theatre — a legendary music venue — hosts national acts year-round. The Heckscher Museum of Art sits in the picturesque Heckscher Park, offering world-class exhibitions alongside playgrounds, walking trails, and a duck pond. The Huntington Summer Arts Festival and Long Island Fall Festival draw thousands annually.

For history buffs, the Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site preserves the childhood home of America’s greatest poet, who was born in West Hills (part of the Town of Huntington) in 1819. Oheka Castle, the second-largest private residence ever built in the United States, is just a short drive away and offers tours, dining, and luxury hotel stays. The Conklin House, one of Long Island’s oldest museums, features a chair George Washington reportedly sat in during his 1790 Long Island tour.

Mount Sinai’s cultural scene is more intimate but equally charming. The hamlet’s proximity to Port Jefferson — with its ferry terminal, theater district, and waterfront restaurants — provides easy access to a vibrant social scene. Stony Brook Village offers the Long Island Museum (home to an extraordinary collection of American art, carriages, and decoys) and the Jazz Loft, a unique museum celebrating jazz history.

▶ Video: Downtown Huntington Village Walking Tour — Watch on YouTube

▶ Video: Port Jefferson Village & Harbor — Watch on YouTube

3. Beaches & Outdoor Recreation

Huntington boasts five harbors and nine beaches. Gold Star Battalion Beach, Crescent Beach, and Centerport Beach are popular summer destinations. The Huntington Lighthouse — one of the few offshore lighthouses in the U.S. open to public tours — offers summer boat excursions and dinner tours. Caumsett State Historic Park in Lloyd Neck provides 1,520 acres of hiking, fishing, and horseback riding along the Long Island Sound.

Mount Sinai’s Cedar Beach is the crown jewel — the largest North Shore beach in the Town of Brookhaven. The 455-acre harbor includes salt marshes, mudflats, a marine sanctuary, and scenic walking trails. Clamming during low tide and fishing at high tide are beloved local traditions. Satterly Landing provides harbor views and kayak access, while the North Shore Rail Trail offers miles of flat, paved cycling and walking paths.

4. Schools Comparison

Huntington’s school districts (Huntington UFSD and the broader Town of Huntington districts including Cold Spring Harbor, which is among the top-rated in New York State) are a major draw for families. The town’s schools consistently produce strong academic outcomes and offer extensive extracurricular programs.

Mount Sinai School District, with enrollment of 2,300+, offers a more intimate educational environment. The smaller community allows for stronger teacher-student relationships and a family-oriented atmosphere that many parents prefer.

5. Commute & Accessibility

Huntington Station, on the LIRR’s Port Jefferson Branch, provides direct service to Penn Station in approximately 70–80 minutes. The station’s downtown location means commuters can walk to shops and restaurants after disembarking.

Mount Sinai residents typically drive to the Port Jefferson LIRR station (approximately 10 minutes), where they can catch the same Port Jefferson Branch line. The additional 10 minutes of driving is offset by lower home prices and property taxes.

6. Active Listings to Compare — Browse on Heritage Diner IDX

Center-Hall Colonial — Mt. Sinai

Price: $739,000

Details: 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | 2,600 Sq Ft

Stately center-hall colonial on a quiet cul-de-sac. Hardwood floors, crown molding, updated kitchen, and spacious master suite. Backyard features an in-ground pool and patio.

View This Listing on Heritage Diner IDX: https://search.heritagediner.com/idx/map/mapsearch

Waterfront-View Cape — Mt. Sinai

Price: $615,000

Details: 3 Beds | 2 Baths | 1,900 Sq Ft

Charming cape with partial harbor views, sun-drenched living room, updated bathrooms, and a large deck. Walk to Satterly Landing.

View This Listing on Heritage Diner IDX: https://search.heritagediner.com/idx/map/mapsearch

Modern Split-Level — Mt. Sinai

Price: $689,000

Details: 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | 2,400 Sq Ft

Completely renovated split-level with open-concept living, quartz countertops, new HVAC, and professionally landscaped yard. Mt. Sinai School District.

View This Listing on Heritage Diner IDX: https://search.heritagediner.com/idx/map/mapsearch

Custom Contemporary — Mt. Sinai

Price: $849,000

Details: 5 Beds | 3 Baths | 3,200 Sq Ft

Architecturally distinctive contemporary home with soaring ceilings, walls of windows, chef’s kitchen, and a private wooded setting minutes from Cedar Beach.

View This Listing on Heritage Diner IDX: https://search.heritagediner.com/idx/map/mapsearch

7. Final Verdict

Huntington is the clear choice for buyers who want a walkable downtown lifestyle, world-class cultural institutions, and the cachet of one of Long Island’s most prestigious addresses. Mount Sinai is the smarter financial play — offering comparable North Shore beauty, beach access, and school quality at a 15–30% discount, with faster appreciation rates signaling strong investment upside.

Conclusion

Whether you choose Huntington’s bustling village charm or Mount Sinai’s peaceful harbor serenity, you are investing in Long Island’s finest stretch of coastline. For expert guidance on any North Shore home purchase, contact Paola Meyer at Realty Connect USA through Heritage Diner Real Estate.

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