Living in Centereach Long Island 😍 | ULTIMATE Guide to Moving to Centereach NY


Classified as a hamlet and census-designated place, Centereach is a cozy, upscale suburban community in Long Island, New York. Lined with picturesque homes and close to every imaginable convenience, Centereach is a nice place to live..

Centereach is known for its breathtaking residential neighborhoods and its close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Smithtown Bay. It has an unmatched suburban vibe that draws in new residents each year. Thinking about moving to Centereach in the coming months? Learn more about this popular Long Island community, and what living in Centereach is really like!

Where is Centereach?

Centereach, NY is in Suffolk County and the hamlet is part of Long Island. It is located midway between the Atlantic coast and Smithtown Bay. The area is also located in the center of Long Island, roughly equidistant from Montauk and Manhattan. In fact, its name literally means “center reached,” which was given because of its location.

It is approximately 58 miles from Centereach, NY to Manhattan, which is the closest city. For those looking to travel deeper into Long Island, it is a 68 mile drive from Centereach, NY to Montauk, NY.

Centereach Population & Demographics

As reported by the 2020 US Census, the population of Centereach, NY is 31,979, which equals a population density of 3,589.6 people per square mile. Over the last decade, the population has remained relatively stable and unchanged.

One interesting fact about the area is that Don Heck, co-creator of Iron Man from the Marvel comics, lived in Centereach as an adult.

Centereach, NY Demographics:

  • Percentage of men vs. women: 51% female, 49% male
  • Median age: 37.2 years
  • Racial and ethnic composition: 69% White, 16% Hispanic, 7% Asian, 5% Black, 2% two or more races
  • Median household income: $115,091 
  • Educational attainment: 91.7% high school diploma (or higher), 35.4% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
  • Foreign-born population: 15.1% 

Centereach is a safe place to live. According to the FBI, Centereach has a total crime rate that is 25% lower than the national average. On top of this impressive piece of data, property crime rates are 29% below the national average, and violent crime rates are 7% lower than the U.S. average. Protecting the area are the officers with the Suffolk County Police Department 6th Precinct.

Cost of Living in Centereach, NY

Living in Centereach, NY is expensive. The composite Cost of Living Index (COLI) for Centereach is 127.7. With the U.S. average being 100, the cost of living in this area is 27.7% higher than the national average. Additionally, it costs 6.2% more to live in Centereach than the New York state average.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $142,178 per year to afford to live in Centereach, New York.

Typical Centereach, NY Living Expenses:

  • Average Centereach, NY utilities per month: $259.68
  • Meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $100
  • Preschool or private kindergarten: $1,100 per month per child
  • Gym membership: $122 per month
  • Internet: $75.88 per month

Source: Numbeo

Before moving to Centereach, NY, many people choose to purchase a new home. According to the latest data from Redfin, the Centereach, NY median home price is $517,500. This price point is only slightly higher than the current U.S. median home sale price of $428,700, making it a relatively affordable area in terms of housing. Explore Centereach, NY homes for sale.

Thinking about renting while living in Centereach? The average Centereach rent cost is $2,759 per month (Source: RentCafe.com). Although there are some rentals in the area, the vast majority of residences are for-purchase homes.

Centereach Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Centereach, NY

Unsure as to where you should reside when moving to Centereach? Boasting a myriad of lovely and affluent neighborhoods, there is no shortage of excellent choices. Because of the relatively small size of Centereach, there are no separately named neighborhoods as you’d see in a large city. However, when you know what amenities and conveniences are most important to you, it is easy to choose a fantastic place to live in Centereach.

North Centereach essentially serves as the hub for the area. Home to shopping centers, multiple parks, and the town’s main roads, this is a great spot for individuals and families who want to reside minutes from top amenities. It is also the closest area in proximity to the waterfront (just under eight miles away). Even with so many hotspots in the neighborhood, residential roads are tranquil, tree-lined, and deliver the height of peace and safety.

The central and southern neighborhoods in Centereach are some of the most laid-back and private. These areas are exclusively dedicated to parks and residential communities, which is wonderful for those who want to escape the busyness of city life. Homes of varying sizes and styles can be found throughout these communities in Centereach. 

Centereach Weather & Climate

According to the Köppen classification, Centereach has a humid subtropical climate. What’s especially interesting is that Centereach is in the transition zone of the hot-summer humid continental climate. Updates to climate classification data in recent years account for this shift. During the summer months, the area experiences warm to hot summers. During the winter, the weather is chilly and snowy. Centereach is slightly colder than New York City.

The average annual temperature of Centereach is approximately 74 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes the area a great place for people who enjoy mild weather. Centereach receives approximately 47 inches of rain per year and an average of 28 inches of snowfall per year. Both of these figures are significantly higher than the U.S. averages for rain and snowfall.

Things to Do in Centereach

Throughout the year, there are ample things to do in Centereach. Check out some of the area’s most popular things to do. Planning to go shopping? Enjoy the unparalleled convenience of living near several top retail complexes and stores, including Centereach Square, Best Buy, Target, and The Home Depot.

Percy B. Raynor Memorial Park

Known as a kid-friendly, family-friendly, and dog-friendly thing to do in Centereach, Percy B. Raynor Memorial Park is a delightful community park. Featuring a creatively designed playground, a lit baseball field, and walking paths, this is a fantastic place to go out and bask in the fresh air.

Centereach, NY 11720

Tiki Action Park

Seeking high-adrenaline fun for the family? Awarded as one of the 2022 best things to do in Centereach by the Bethpage Best of Long Island, Tiki Action Park delivers a thrilling and immersive experience. Teens, children, and parents can spend hours playing mini-golf, go-karting, or gaming in the arcade.

1878 Middle Country Rd, Centereach, NY 11720, 631-471-1267

Centereach Park

Another lovely park found in Centereach is Centereach Park. Maintained by Brookhaven Parks & Recreation, this park is known for its updated playground, walking paths, pool, tennis and pickleball courts, and more.

34 Stonehurst Cir, Centereach, NY 11720, 631-451-8696

Additional Attractions in Centereach

Searching for more things to do in Centereach? Brookhaven Parks & Recreation maintains and manages area parks, recreation programs, events, and more. You can also explore the Centereach calendar of events to peruse upcoming events in the community!

Centereach Restaurants

Want to know where the best restaurants are in Centereach? Throughout the area, there are high-quality eateries that span a variety of cuisine styles and specialties.

Mozzafiato Pizzeria

One of the most highly-rated restaurants in all of Centereach is Mozzafiato Pizzeria. Known for their hearty square slices of pizza, varieties include traditional flavors, as well as specialty pies (including gluten-free crust). The restaurant only uses the highest quality ingredients, including organic, non-GMO chicken, flour imported from Italy, and gourmet Italian cheeses.

1950 Middle Country Rd, Centereach, NY 11720, 631-467-1111

Istanbul Cafe

Indulge in a delicious selection of Mediterranean dishes at Istanbul Cafe. Popular menu items include the gyro (lamb or chicken), kebabs, and entrees made from your choice of lamb, beef, or chicken. They also offer an exceptional variety of traditional appetizers, desserts, and more.

2139 Middle Country Rd, Centereach, NY 11720, 631-738-6704

Voodoo Crab of Centereach

Craving a taste of “The Big Easy”? Search no further than the exceptional Cajun cuisine found at Voodoo Crab. Boasting an impressive menu of both land and sea fare, top selections include the Voodoo Wings, the Signature Crab Boil, and a raw bar.

1759-G Middle Country Rd, Centereach, NY 11720, 631-676-7007

Jobs in Centereach

Due to the area’s location, Centereach has few places to work. While there are select opportunities for those who work in retail, the vast majority of Centereach is residential. Nearly all residents commute to a local city on Long Island (or to Manhattan) for work.

According to the latest data from PayScale, the average hourly wage in Centereach is $18.80. The average annual salary is $69,000. Before moving to the area, browse jobs in Centereach, NY.

Centereach, NY Schools

Centereach is served by the Middle Country Central School District, founded in 1957. Some of the area’s best schools include Selden Middle School, Dawnwood Middle School, and Centereach High School.

Residents of Centereach have access to the local Middle Country Public Library, which is located at 101 Eastwood Boulevard.

Centereach, NY Statistics & Information

  • County: Suffolk County
  • Centereach area: 8.92 square miles
  • Centereach zip code: 11720
  • Centereach area codes: 631 and 934
  • Centereach elevation: 309 feet
  • Centereach time zone: Eastern (EST)
  • Closest airport to Centereach, NY: LaGuardia Airport (LGA), 45.9 miles away

Centereach, NY Map

Check out everything there is to do, restaurants, and amenities with this map of Centereach, NY.

Need help moving to Centereach, NY? Having served 2,500+ clients, earning a 99% satisfaction rating along the way, our Long Island movers at Zippboxx know how to perform successful relocations. Whether moving from near or far, we’re ready to make your experience one that is outstanding. Call us today to request a custom quote at 631-600-0000.


Rob Marchese
Rob Marchese is one of the founders of Zippboxx Moving and Storage. Since the start of the company it's been Rob's mission to change the way the moving industry is perceived.  The number one goal is to make the moving and storage process as stress free as possible for each and every customer. "The way we do this is by honesty, transparency, and providing a high quality of service."
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