What are the schools like in Southold, NY?

Southold is served primarily by SOUTHOLD UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 8.0:1.

What is the median household income in Southold?

The median household income in Southold, NY is $103,832 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 8.5%.

What is the weather like in Southold, NY?

Southold has an average high temperature of 38.2°F in January and 81.8°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 45.0 inches and annual snowfall averages 26.8 inches.

Southold, NY Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Southold, NY affordable or expensive?

Southold's cost of living index is 112, where 100 represents the national average. This means Southold is 12% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $695,100 and the median rent is $2,098 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Southold, NY?

Southold has a violent crime rate of 81.3 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1157.3 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Southold, NY a Good Place to Live?

Southold is a small town of 6,386 in New York, with a median household income of $103,832 and a 8.5% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 112 (US average = 100), which is 12% above the national average.

Strengths: Southold stands out for solid school ratings (A), a well-educated population, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an above-average cost of living, high home prices, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Southold is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Southold city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 112.5

Southold's overall cost of living index is 112.5, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Southold costs roughly 12% more than the average American city.

Metric	Southold, NY	National Avg
Median Home Value	$695,100	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$2,098	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	79.7%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$103,832	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Southold's violent crime rate is 81.3 per 100,000 residents — 79% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

81.3 /100k

Property Crime

1157.3 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Southold is served primarily by SOUTHOLD UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT. The student-to-teacher ratio is 8.0:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Southold, NY	National Avg
School District	SOUTHOLD UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	8.0:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	46.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	88.9%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Southold sees average highs of 38.2°F in January and 81.8°F in July, with 45.0 inches of annual precipitation and 26.8 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Southold, NY
Average High — January	38.2°F
Average High — July	81.8°F
Annual Precipitation	45.0"
Annual Snowfall	26.8"

Demographics

Metric	Southold, NY	National Avg
Population	6,386	—
Median Age	50.6	38.9
Unemployment Rate	8.5%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	25.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	83.5%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	12.4%	18.9%
Asian	3.6%	6.3%
Under 18	23.2%	22.2%
65 and over	24.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Peconic, NY 3 mi Greenport West, NY 3 mi Shelter Island Heights, NY 4 mi Greenport, NY 4 mi Cutchogue, NY 4 mi

ZIP Codes in Southold

Southold, NY is covered by 1 ZIP code:

11971

Southold vs Other Cities

Southold, NY vs Peconic, NY Southold, NY vs Greenport West, NY Southold, NY vs Shelter Island Heights, NY Southold, NY vs Greenport, NY Southold, NY vs Cutchogue, NY

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Southold, NY affordable or expensive?

Southold's cost of living index is 112, where 100 is the national average. That puts Southold roughly 12% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $695,100 and median rent is $2,098/month.

What is the crime rate in Southold, NY?

Southold's violent crime rate is 81.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1157.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Southold?

Public schools in Southold are operated by SOUTHOLD UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 8.0:1. 46.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Southold, NY a good place to live?

Southold, NY has a population of 6,386, a median household income of $103,832, and an unemployment rate of 8.5%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Southold?

Southold averages 38.2°F in January and 81.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.0 inches with about 26.8 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Southold?

Southold, NY is covered by 1 ZIP code: 11971.

What is the population of Southold?

The population of Southold, New York is 6,386 with a median age of 50.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Southold?

Key numbers for living in Southold: cost of living index 112 (100 = US average), median home $695,100, median household income $103,832, crime index 35 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Southold side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.