Montauk: 4,318 year-round residents (30,000 in summer), $2.9M median homes, George Washington’s lighthouse, surfing capital, 3 state parks. Mt. Sinai: 13,000 year-round residents, $625K median homes, Cedar Beach, Heritage Diner, quiet suburban peace. Both are Long Island beach communities. One is at the literal end of the world. The other is where families quietly live.

The Big Picture: Surfing Paradise vs Suburban Sanctuary

Montauk: “The End” of Long Island

Montauk is a small coastal hamlet at the easternmost tip of Long Island’s South Fork, with 4,318 year-round residents that explode to 30,000+ in summer. This is where Long Island literally ends—surrounded by water on three sides, with the Atlantic Ocean to the south, Block Island Sound to the north, and Gardiners Bay to the west.

With a median home value of $1.4M-$2.9M (varies by source/season) and recent sales at $2.9M, this is not your typical beach town. This is where President George Washington commissioned America’s fourth-oldest lighthouse in 1792 (built 1796), where world-class surf breaks attract international surfers, where three state parks offer pristine wilderness, and where rock stars, artists, and wealthy New Yorkers summer in beachfront estates.

This is a seasonal town: 30,000 people in summer, 5,000 in winter. Many homes sit empty 8+ months per year. This is a fishing village turned tourist mecca, where commercial fishing boats dock next to luxury yachts, where surfers paddle out at Ditch Plains, where the Montauk Point Lighthouse stands as a National Historic Landmark.

Mt. Sinai: North Shore Stability

Mt. Sinai is a 6.4-square-mile hamlet in Brookhaven Town on Long Island’s North Shore, with about 13,000 year-round residents. Founded in 1664, it’s known for Cedar Beach on Long Island Sound, excellent schools, safe streets, and that peaceful suburban lifestyle where the same families live year-round.

Median home values: $550K-$700K. This is not where surfers live. This is not where lighthouses stand. This is not where populations explode 6x in summer. This is where families go to Heritage Diner on Saturday mornings, kids ride bikes to their friends’ houses, and a $625K home with a yard feels right.

Key Difference: Montauk is a summer beach paradise that empties in winter. Mt. Sinai is a year-round suburban community that stays exactly the same 365 days.

The Wealth Gap: $2.9M Beach Estates vs $625K Suburban Homes

Montauk: Where Beach Homes Cost Millions

Real Estate Statistics (December 2024):

Median sale price: $2.9 million (down 10.9% from previous year)
Median home value estimates: $1.4M-$1.7M (varies by source)
Price per square foot: $1,430 (down 7.4% since last year)
Days on market: 123 days average (not competitive)
Rental prices: $8,740/month average, summer rentals 10x higher
Homeownership rate: 78.4%
Market competitiveness: Not very competitive

Income & Demographics:

Per capita income: $86,607 (wealthy relative to NY)
Family of four equivalent income: $346,428
Population: 4,070-4,318 year-round, swells to 30,000 summer
Remote workers: 20% work from home (high for small town)
Seasonal housing: Large percentage vacant most of year

Housing Types:

Single-family homes: 72.3% of housing stock
Large apartment complexes: 11.6%
Mobile homes: 10.9%
Row houses/attached: 3.8%
Owner-occupied: 78.4%
3-4 bedroom homes: 52.4% (average sized)

Building Eras:

Pre-1939: 12.2%
1940-1969: 19.9%
1970-1999: Majority (that “Brady Bunch” look)
2000-later: 11.4%

Mt. Sinai: Middle-Class Affordability

Median home value: $550K-$700K (2.5-4x less than Montauk)
Median household income: Estimated $90K-$110K (Suffolk County average)
Property taxes: $12K-$16K/year (Long Island rates)
Character: Working/middle-class families, teachers, nurses
Population: 13,000 year-round (stays constant)
No seasonal influx: Same neighbors 365 days

Comparison: Montauk homes cost 3-5x more than Mt. Sinai homes. Montauk’s population explodes 6x in summer then crashes in winter. Mt. Sinai stays exactly the same year-round.

Active Montauk Listings – Check Current Availability

Looking for Montauk Real Estate? Browse current active listings in Montauk through Heritage Diner’s comprehensive MLS search:

🏡 Search Active Montauk Listings on Heritage Diner IDX

Use the map search or advanced filters to find:

Montauk beachfront estates
Hither Woods homes
Ditch Plains surf properties
Montauk commercial fishing opportunities
Lake Montauk waterfront homes
Fort Pond Bay properties

Live and updated MLS search results brought to you by Paola Meyer – Associate Broker from Realty Connect USA

The Montauk Point Lighthouse: George Washington’s National Historic Landmark

Historic Significance

Authorization & Construction:

1792: Commissioned by President George Washington, authorized by Second Congress
1796: Completed and first lit
First lighthouse in New York State
Fourth-oldest active lighthouse in United States
2012: Designated National Historic Landmark by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar (only 12 lighthouses nationwide so honored)
1969: Added to National Register of Historic Places

Original Construction:

Foundation: 13 feet deep, 9 feet thick
Materials: Sandstone blocks from Connecticut (8″ high, 18-44″ length)
Wall thickness: 6 feet at base, tapering to 3 feet at top
Original height: 80 feet
1860: 30 feet added to height by Ira Winn of Portland, ME
Current height: 110 feet 6 inches
Steps to top: 137 iron steps

The Light:

Flash pattern: Every 5 seconds
Visibility: 19 nautical miles
Fresnel lens: 3½ order, served 1903-1987
November 6, 2023: Original bivalve Fresnel lens reactivated in 2-year Coast Guard pilot program to assess environmental impact
Currently: Still active as navigation aid for seafarers

Erosion Battle & Preservation:

Original location: Built 300 feet from cliff edge on Turtle Hill
Current distance: 100 feet from edge (erosion threat)
1967: Coast Guard considered demolishing, replacing with steel tower
Giorgina Reid solution: Textile designer from Rocky Point invented “Reed-Trench Terracing”—built terraces from beach debris to stem erosion; patented process, published “How to Hold up a Bank”
1998: Erosion Control Project completed with NY State support
January 2020: US Army Corps of Engineers awarded $30.7M contract to H&L Contracting
2021-August 2023: Major restoration—1,000 linear feet stone revetment, 5-10 ton armor stones, 10-15 ton new stones, slope stabilization, terracing, vegetation, complete lighthouse repainting

Ownership & Operations:

1796-1939: Civilian lighthouse keepers
1939: Coast Guard took over
WWII: US Army Signal Corps occupied; built concrete Fire Control Tower to direct artillery from Fort Hero
February 3, 1987: Automated
April 1, 1987: Montauk Historical Society leased property
May 23, 1987: Museum opened (virtually no gap between Coast Guard departure and historical society takeover)
September 30, 1996: President Bill Clinton signed legislation transferring ownership to Montauk Historical Society
1998-1999: $500K+ restoration by International Chimney Corporation (metal decking, limestone blocks, repointing)

Museum & Attractions:

Location: 1860 Keepers’ House
Collections: Maritime artifacts, several Fresnel lenses, stuffed wood duck (killed crashing into lantern 1906, donated by keeper’s grandson)
Exhibits: Original documents signed by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson authorizing construction
Conway Visitor Center: Regional maritime history exhibits, video presentations
Oceans Institute: Virtual and interactive aquarium
Theodore Roosevelt AR tour: Augmented reality experience
Climb the tower: 137 steps to panoramic ocean views (15-person limit, claustrophobic climb)
Views: On clear days see eastern horizon, Connecticut, Rhode Island

Trivia & Fun Facts:

Captain Kidd’s treasure: Legendary pirate allegedly buried treasure around 1699 at “Money Ponds” near lighthouse site
Amistad landing: Slave ship first came ashore in America at this point before famous New Haven trial
#1 Montauk attraction: TripAdvisor’s top-rated site
Weddings & events: Popular venue for ceremonies with ocean backdrop
School tours: Frequent educational visits

Visiting Information

Hours: Open daily in summer, weekends in spring/November
Admission: Entrance fee (discounts for seniors/children)
Parking: $8 fee (use NYS parking pass if available; also covers Camp Hero)
Location: Montauk Point State Park, 6 miles east on SR 27
Gift shop: Lighthouse models, maritime souvenirs
Note: Backpacks and large bags not permitted
Warning: Tick-infested areas, use precautions

Montauk’s Historic Sites & Landmarks

Camp Hero State Park (Designated 1984)

Former military base: WWII and Cold War installation
Radar tower: Massive concrete tower (conspiracy theory site)
Nike missile site: Cold War remnants
Hiking trails: Coastal bluff trails
Fishing: Rocky coastline access
Surfing: Adjacent to surf breaks
WWII bunkers: Exploreable military structures

Second House (Passed on Entry to Montauk)

Historic building: Iconic pillar of local history
Left-hand side: Visible entering Montauk
Colonial heritage: Early settlement structure

Montauk Manor (Designated 1984)

Built 1927: Designed by Carl Fisher
Only completed hotel: Fisher planned three Grand Hotels, only Manor built
Current use: 140-room condominium resort
Setting: 12 acres overlooking Montauk
Historic photos: 1927 completion images preserved by Montauk Historical Society
Still operational: Managed by Lessing’s Hospitality Group

Montauk Playhouse (Designated 1988)

Opened 1929: Carl Fisher building
Multiple uses: Tennis emporium, performing arts center, boxing arena, military base, movie theatre
20-year renovation: Completion stages began 2024
Future: Cultural arts and aquatic center
Historic photos: 1930 original images by Montauk Playhouse Community Center Foundation

Carl Fisher’s Vision

Carl Fisher (1874-1939): Entrepreneur who single-handedly shaped Montauk’s architecture and development vision

Built Montauk Manor, Montauk Playhouse
Planned three Grand Hotels (only Manor completed)
Envisioned Montauk as “Miami Beach of the North”
1929 stock market crash ended grand plans
Legacy preserved by Montauk Historical Society and Library

Montauk’s Three State Parks

Montauk Point State Park

Location: Eastern tip of South Fork
Home to: Montauk Point Lighthouse
Activities: Windswept walks, surfing, surf fishing, hiking trails
Scenic views: 360-degree ocean vistas
Historic landmarks: Lighthouse, WWII structures

Hither Hills State Park

Size: Large oceanfront park
Camping: Year-round campground
Beach: Atlantic Ocean swimming
Hiking: “Walking Dunes” trails
Fishing: Surf fishing popular
Biking: Paved trails

Napeague State Park

Character: Undeveloped stretch between Amagansett and Montauk
Beach: Pristine Atlantic coastline
Wildlife: Protected habitat
Fishing: Beach access

Montauk Beach Culture & Surfing

World-Class Surf Breaks

Ditch Plains:

Montauk’s premier surf spot
Consistent waves year-round
International surf community
Surf shops, lessons, rentals
Parking lot culture (surfers’ hangout)
Food trucks, cafes nearby

Other Surf Spots:

Turtle Cove: Protected from south winds
Camp Hero: Rocky point breaks
Montauk Point: Advanced surfers only
Kirk Park Beach: Family-friendly smaller waves

Beaches

Ditch Plains Beach: Surfing mecca
Kirk Park Beach: Family swimming
Gin Beach: Private beach club
Navy Beach: Restaurant/beach club on Fort Pond Bay
Montauk Beach: Main public beach

Montauk’s Fishing Village Heritage

Commercial Fishing

Gosman’s Dock: Historic commercial fishing pier since 1940s, working fleet + restaurant
Montauk Harbor: Active commercial fleet
Charter fishing: Sport fishing capital of NY
Fish markets: Fresh-caught daily
Lobstering: Active lobster boats

Sport Fishing Capital

Striped bass, bluefish, fluke, tuna
Shark fishing tournaments
Deep-sea charters
Inshore/offshore options

Montauk’s Artist & Rock Star Culture

Famous Residents & Visitors

Andy Warhol: Owned “Eothen” estate (5.7 acres, bought $225K 1971, now listed $85M)
Ralph Lauren: Owns Montauk property ($16M, 2019, 200+ feet oceanfront, previously Edward Albee’s for 50+ years)
Robert De Niro: Montauk home gifted by father 30 years ago
Paul Simon: Maintains Montauk property
Bobby Flay: Mentioned visiting/owning in Hamptons area
Rock stars, playwrights, artists: Eclectic community mix

Artist Community

Galleries in downtown Montauk
Summer art shows
Music scene (bars, live venues)
Film location (various movies shot here)

Montauk Town Character

Downtown Montauk

Montauk Highway (Route 27): Main drag
Surf shops: Ditch Witch, Core, others
Restaurants: Surf Lodge, Montauk Brewing Company, Naturally Good Foods, John’s Pancake House
Bars/Nightlife: Surf Lodge, Navy Beach, Memory Motel (Rolling Stones song)
Motels: Classic beach town motor courts
Seafood markets: Fresh fish daily

Seasonal Character

Summer (Memorial Day-Labor Day):

Population: 30,000+ (6x increase)
Traffic: Packed roads, parking challenges
Beaches: Crowded with day-trippers from NYC
Restaurants: Reservations required weeks ahead
Nightlife: Surf Lodge parties, bar scene thriving
Rentals: $10K-$50K+ per week for houses

Off-Season (September-May):

Population: 5,000-4,318 year-round
Many businesses close
Quiet beaches, empty restaurants
Surfers have waves to themselves
Local community emerges
Peaceful, beautiful, isolated

Demographics & Population

Montauk Demographics

Year-Round Population: 4,070-4,318

Racial composition: 89.1% White, 6.4% Hispanic, others minimal
Foreign-born: 10% (decreased 13% over 5 years)
Education: High percentage college-educated (attracts remote workers, artists, entrepreneurs)
Work from home: 20% (high for small town)
Character: Eclectic mix—commercial fishermen, artists, wealthy retirees, surf bums, remote workers

Mt. Sinai Demographics

Population: ~13,000 year-round
Racial composition: Predominantly white, middle-class
Character: Multi-generational families, teachers, nurses, commuters
Stability: Same neighbors year-round, no seasonal changes

Comparison: Montauk is 1/3 the size of Mt. Sinai year-round, but 2.3x larger in summer. Montauk is transient and seasonal. Mt. Sinai is stable and permanent.

Geography & Location

Montauk

Location: Easternmost point of Long Island, South Fork tip
Boundaries: Atlantic Ocean (south), Block Island Sound (north), Gardiners Bay (west)
Surrounded by water on 3 sides
Part of: East Hampton Town, Suffolk County
Distance from NYC: ~125 miles, 3 hours by train, 2.5-4 hours by car
Access: Route 27 (Montauk Highway) only road in/out
ZIP Code: 11954

Mt. Sinai

Location: North Shore of Long Island
Boundaries: Long Island Sound (north)
Part of: Brookhaven Town, Suffolk County
Distance from NYC: ~60 miles, 90+ minutes by car
Beach: Cedar Beach (Sound, not ocean)

Comparison: Montauk is 2x farther from NYC, surrounded by ocean on 3 sides. Mt. Sinai has Sound beach on one side.

Lifestyle & Community

Living in Montauk

Summer Life:

Sunrise surf sessions at Ditch Plains
Breakfast at John’s Pancake House
Beach days on Atlantic Ocean
Sunset drinks at Surf Lodge or Navy Beach
Fresh fish from Gosman’s Dock
Navigating summer traffic and tourists
Paying $50+ for dinner entrees
$20K+ monthly summer rental income (if you own)

Winter Life:

Empty beaches, peace and quiet
Hardcore surfers only in wetsuit
Local bar scene (year-rounders)
Many businesses closed
Drive 30+ minutes for variety
Isolation and beauty
Tight-knit small community

Who Lives in Montauk:

Commercial fishermen (multi-generational)
Surf culture enthusiasts
Remote workers/entrepreneurs
Artists and creatives
Wealthy retirees with beachfront estates
Service industry workers (seasonal employment)
Second-home owners (mostly absent)

Living in Mt. Sinai

Daily Life:

Drive kids to school
Saturday morning Heritage Diner
Cedar Beach in summer (no tourists)
Little League games
Yard work, driveway basketball
Everyone knows everyone
Same neighbors 365 days

Who Lives in Mt. Sinai:

Middle-class families
Teachers, nurses, commuters
Retirees on fixed incomes
Multi-generational Long Island families
No celebrities, no surf culture

Comparison: Montauk is transient, seasonal, surf-culture driven, expensive. Mt. Sinai is stable, year-round, family-focused, affordable.

Transportation & Access

Montauk

LIRR: Montauk Station (end of line), 3 hours from Penn Station NYC
Car: Route 27 (Montauk Highway), 2.5-4 hours from NYC depending on traffic
Summer traffic: Notorious backups, can add 1-2 hours
No highways: Only two-lane roads
Parking: State park fees ($8+), difficult in summer
Walkability: Downtown walkable, but most need cars
Biking: Popular for locals in off-season

Mt. Sinai

Car required: For everything
NYC commute: 90+ minutes (15 min to Port Jefferson LIRR + train)
No LIRR station: Must drive to Port Jeff

Comparison: Both require cars. Montauk is farther and more isolated. Mt. Sinai has better commute access despite being 90 minutes to NYC.

Schools & Education

Montauk Schools

Montauk School: Elementary/middle school, highly rated for teachers and performance
East Hampton High School: Serves Montauk students
Amagansett School: Nearby alternative
Small class sizes: Due to small year-round population
Challenges: Limited extracurriculars due to size

Mt. Sinai Schools

Mt. Sinai School District: Top-rated Long Island schools
Elementary, Middle, High: All highly rated
Community focus: Everyone knows everyone K-12
Main draw: Schools are why families move here

Comparison: Mt. Sinai has better-resourced schools due to larger tax base and stable population. Montauk schools are good but tiny.

Things to Do & Attractions

Montauk

Outdoor Activities:

Surfing at Ditch Plains, Turtle Cove, Camp Hero
Hiking three state parks (Montauk Point, Hither Hills, Napeague)
Charter fishing (stripers, blues, tuna, sharks)
Kayaking Fort Pond, Lake Montauk
Beach swimming (Atlantic Ocean)
Cycling
Lighthouse climbing

Historic Sites:

Montauk Point Lighthouse & Museum
Camp Hero State Park (WWII/Cold War)
Montauk Manor
Montauk Playhouse (under renovation)
Second House

Dining & Nightlife:

Gosman’s Dock (seafood, working dock)
Surf Lodge (scene-y, music, views)
Navy Beach (Fort Pond Bay restaurant/beach club)
Montauk Brewing Company
John’s Pancake House (breakfast institution)
Naturally Good Foods (health food cafe)
Memory Motel (Rolling Stones reference)

Mt. Sinai

Cedar Beach: Long Island Sound swimming
Heritage Diner: Community gathering spot
Community parks: Little League, playgrounds
School events: Sports, theater

Comparison: Montauk offers world-class outdoor recreation, historic sites, vibrant dining/nightlife. Mt. Sinai offers quiet family activities.

Interesting & Quirky Facts

Montauk Fun Facts

“The End”: Literally the easternmost point of Long Island; locals call it “The End”
Population swing: 4,318 year-round → 30,000 summer (6x increase)
George Washington’s lighthouse: Fourth-oldest active in U.S., first in NY
Captain Kidd’s treasure: Legendary “Money Ponds” burial site
Amistad landing: Famous slave ship first touched American soil here
$2.9M median home: 5x Mt. Sinai prices
137 steps to lighthouse top: Claustrophobic climb with 15-person limit
Erosion battle: Lighthouse moved from 300 feet to 100 feet from cliff edge
$30.7M restoration: Recent Army Corps project (2021-2023)
Carl Fisher’s vision: “Miami Beach of the North” plan ended by 1929 crash
Andy Warhol’s “Eothen”: $225K (1971) → $85M listing
Three state parks: Montauk Point, Hither Hills, Napeague
Surf capital: World-renowned Ditch Plains break
Commercial fishing: Still active working fleet at Gosman’s Dock
Memory Motel: Referenced in Rolling Stones song
20% work from home: High for small coastal town
72% single-family homes: But many vacant most of year
Surrounded by water on 3 sides: True coastal isolation

Mt. Sinai Fun Facts

Bible needle naming: Postmaster pointed randomly at Bible
1664 founding: Colonial settlement
$625K median homes: 5x less than Montauk
13,000 year-round: 3x larger than Montauk year-round
No seasonal change: Same neighbors 365 days

YouTube Videos & Resources

Montauk Video Resources

Search YouTube for: “Montauk Point Lighthouse”
Search YouTube for: “Montauk New York tour”
Search YouTube for: “Montauk surfing Ditch Plains”
Search YouTube for: “Montauk fishing”
Search YouTube for: “Camp Hero Montauk”
Search YouTube for: “Montauk summer”
Search YouTube for: “Montauk lighthouse climb”
Search YouTube for: “Montauk Manor history”
Search YouTube for: “Gosman’s Dock Montauk”

Mt. Sinai Video Resources

Cedar Beach drone footage
Long Island history channels
Real estate neighborhood tours

The Verdict: Which Long Island Beach Town Is Right for You?

Choose Montauk If You:

Can afford $1.4M-$2.9M homes
Want to live at the literal end of Long Island
Love surfing and world-class waves
Value Atlantic Ocean over Long Island Sound
Don’t mind 3-hour train or 2.5-4 hour drive from NYC
Want George Washington’s lighthouse in your backyard
Appreciate commercial fishing village character
Love three state parks for hiking/camping
Are okay with seasonal town (30K summer, 5K winter)
Want second home to rent out summers ($10K-$50K/week)
Are artist, remote worker, or surf enthusiast
Don’t need year-round community stability
Value isolation and “end of the world” vibe
Want eclectic mix of fishermen, artists, rock stars
Love vibrant summer nightlife (Surf Lodge, Navy Beach)

Choose Mt. Sinai If You:

Want affordable $625K homes (vs $2.9M)
Need year-round community that doesn’t disappear
Prioritize excellent schools over surf culture
Work remotely or can handle 90-min NYC commute
Prefer Long Island Sound calm over Atlantic Ocean power
Want tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone
Value Saturday Heritage Diner traditions
Seek stability over seasonal excitement
Don’t need lighthouses or historic landmarks
Want kids to grow up with same classmates K-12
Prefer quiet suburban peace over surf town energy
Can’t/won’t spend $2.9M on a beach house
Want same neighbors 365 days (not 5-month disappearances)

A Final Word From Heritage Diner

Look, Montauk is spectacular if you can afford it and want that lifestyle. George Washington commissioned the lighthouse in 1792. It’s the fourth-oldest active lighthouse in America. You’re surrounded by water on three sides. World-class surf breaks at Ditch Plains attract international surfers. Three state parks offer pristine wilderness. Commercial fishing boats dock at Gosman’s since the 1940s. Andy Warhol’s estate is listed for $85 million.

Median home prices are $2.9 million. The population explodes from 4,318 to 30,000 in summer then crashes to 5,000 in winter. It’s 3 hours from Manhattan by train. Summer rentals go for $10K-$50K per week. Many homes sit empty 8+ months per year. This is a seasonal beach paradise for people who can afford multiple properties.

But here’s what Montauk can’t give you unless you’re wealthy: Affordability. Year-round community. Neighbors who don’t disappear for 7 months. A beach town where homes cost $625K not $2.9M. A Saturday morning where the same families have been going to the same diner for 20 years.

Montauk is where you vacation. Mt. Sinai is where you live.

Montauk is where you stand at the easternmost point of Long Island, climb 137 steps in George Washington’s lighthouse, surf world-class breaks, watch commercial fishing boats unload their catch, and pay $2.9 million for the privilege. Where artists and rock stars summer. Where the population multiplies by 6 every Memorial Day.

Mt. Sinai is where the Johnsons, the Millers, and the Garcias have lived for three generations without anyone needing a lighthouse, surf break, or $2.9M home. Where your home costs $625K with a yard. Where the same neighbors show up to Heritage Diner every Saturday morning. Where the population stays exactly the same year-round.

These aren’t competing visions of Long Island beach living—they’re completely different economic and lifestyle universes.

If you want to live at “The End” with George Washington’s lighthouse, world-class surfing, three state parks, and can afford $2.9M homes, move to Montauk.

If you’re a normal middle-class person who wants a $625K home near a beach with year-round neighbors and Saturday breakfast traditions, move to Mt. Sinai.

Both are Long Island beach communities. Both are beautiful. The similarities end there.

Montauk: Where George Washington built a lighthouse.
Mt. Sinai: Where families have Heritage Diner traditions.

Resources & Links

Montauk Links:

Mt. Sinai Links:

Whether you choose Montauk’s “End of the World” beach paradise or Mt. Sinai’s year-round family haven, you’re choosing a Long Island coastal community. Just from completely different price points and lifestyles. And if you pick Mt. Sinai, we’ll be at Heritage Diner with a fresh pot of coffee and a booth waiting for you. No lighthouse required. Welcome home.