Exploring the differences and similarities between living in Staten Island, NY, and Ramapo, NY, can help individuals make informed decisions about relocation or vacation plans. Both cities offer unique traits regarding crime/safety, weather, cost of living, education, work and economy, infrastructure, industries and occupations, biggest employers, real estate, neighborhoods, transportation/public transit/commuting, city/state taxes, culture/food, sports teams, geographical conditions, and healthcare. There are several aspects to consider for those choosing to relocate or for tourists planning to visit, as the two areas contrast significantly in a number of ways.
Staten Island, the least populated of the five NYC boroughs, has a lower crime rate compared to other parts of the city. However, the crime rate in Ramapo, a suburban town in Rockland County, is even lower. Both areas are relatively safe, but Ramapo is considered safer.
Cost of Living
Staten Island generally has a higher cost of living than Ramapo, especially considering housing prices. However, daily amenities like food, clothing, and entertainment could be on par or slightly more expensive in Ramapo.
Income Tax
Income tax rates for Staten Island and Ramapo are also identical, imposed by the state of New York. There is a progressive tax system ranging from 4% to 8.82%.
Property Tax
Staten Island's property tax average around 0.87%, lower than the average in NYC. While Ramapo's average property tax rate is higher, at 1.62%.
Sales Tax
Both Staten Island and Ramapo share the same New York State sales tax rate of 8.875%. There's no separate city sales tax.
Income
Type
Staten Island
Ramapo
Estimated median household income
$86,054
$87,980
Estimated per capita income
$38,678
$31,559
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
164.1
161
If you make $50,000 in Ramapo, you will have to make $50,963 in Staten Island to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Staten Island is characterized by hilly terrain and numerous parks. Ramapo stands out for its scenic countryside, mixing suburban and rural landscapes interspersed with green spaces.
Geographical information
Type
Staten Island
Ramapo
Land area
58.5 sq. miles
61.2 sq. miles
Population density
8,225.7 people per sq. mile
2,067.1 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Staten Island, NY Ramapo, NY
Education
Both Staten Island and Ramapo have a good education system. Staten Island has a wide selection of public, private, and specialized schools, while Ramapo has some of the top schools in the region.
Staten Island has a diverse economy with job opportunities in healthcare, retail, and public administration. On the other hand, Ramapo's economy is focused more on manufacturing and education, providing a variety of job opportunities in these sectors.
Biggest Employers
Staten Island's biggest employers are the City of New York and the Staten Island University Hospital. In Ramapo, some of the largest employers are Novartis Pharmaceuticals and Rockland BOCES.
In Staten Island (Richmond County), 50.8% voted for Democrats and 48.3% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Ramapo (Rockland County), 52.9% voted for Democrats and 46.2% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Staten Island
Ramapo
Staten Island
Ramapo
Staten Island
Ramapo
2020
42.2%
50.7%
57.1%
48.9%
0.7%
0.4%
2016
41.0%
51.4%
56.1%
45.2%
2.9%
3.4%
2012
50.8%
52.9%
48.3%
46.2%
0.9%
0.9%
2008
47.8%
52.8%
51.9%
46.9%
0.4%
0.3%
2004
42.8%
49.0%
56.5%
49.7%
0.7%
1.3%
2000
52.1%
56.8%
45.1%
39.6%
2.9%
3.6%
1996
50.5%
56.2%
40.8%
36.0%
8.7%
7.8%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Staten Island
Ramapo
Staten Island
Ramapo
CATHOLIC CHURCH
54.2%
35.1%
20.6%
6.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.7%
1.5%
3.0%
1.0%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.6%
0.1%
1.0%
1.0%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.5%
4.0%
1.3%
COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
0.5%
0.3%
1.0%
0.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.7%
5.0%
3.2%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.2%
0.6%
3.5%
2.3%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.1%
0.5%
2.5%
2.6%
Weather
Both Staten Island and Ramapo experience similar weather patterns with cold winters, humid summers, and moderate spring and autumn seasons. However, Staten Island, due to its close proximity to the ocean, might experience slightly milder winters and cooler summers.
Weather and climate
Type
Staten Island
Ramapo
Temperature - Average
54.1°F
51.7°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
67.4%
67.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
29.9%
28.2%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
77%
76.3%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
47.2%
48.1%
Precipitation - Yearly average
47.4 in
50.1 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
60 in
56.5 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.8%
16.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.2%
60.1%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
20%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
64%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
44%
43.9%
Wind speed - Average
10.5 mph
9.4 mph
Average climate in Staten Island, New York
Average climate in Ramapo, New York
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Staten Island
Ramapo
Staten Island
Ramapo
Staten Island
Ramapo
Staten Island
Ramapo
Staten Island
Staten Island
Ramapo
Staten Island
Ramapo
Staten Island
Ramapo
2018
94
99
0.35
0.29
17.1
16.7
24.1
28.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.9
6.1
0.4
0.6
2017
98
90
0.32
0.11
17.0
16.6
27.0
28.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.6
5.9
0.2
0.6
2016
94
92
0.37
0.26
17.9
17.3
28.5
29.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.7
6.3
0.2
0.8
2015
102
99
0.39
0.27
18.9
18.8
27.3
28.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.6
7.6
0.4
1.5
2014
97
90
0.38
0.34
19.2
19.1
25.6
28.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.3
7.0
0.7
1.7
2013
99
93
0.39
0.39
19.6
19.4
27.8
28.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.5
7.8
0.8
1.9
2012
102
95
0.42
0.44
19.3
19.0
26.9
28.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.2
7.6
1.4
3.2
2011
108
104
0.42
0.46
21.4
20.9
28.1
28.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.2
8.8
2.0
4.7
2010
114
102
0.40
0.44
19.9
18.4
28.7
30.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.4
8.2
1.8
2.6
2009
105
99
0.39
0.46
22.5
20.9
25.3
24.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.5
9.2
2.4
3.5
2008
111
99
0.39
0.45
23.0
22.0
24.3
23.5
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.3
11.3
3.4
4.2
2007
123
116
0.44
0.52
24.2
24.5
23.3
24.2
0.016
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.0
12.5
4.3
5.4
2006
117
93
0.55
0.51
25.6
22.2
24.7
23.4
0.018
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.1
N/A
5.3
5.7
2005
112
106
0.69
0.60
27.3
24.7
23.3
23.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.3
7.2
2004
109
92
0.68
0.59
26.4
23.5
22.2
21.8
0.030
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.9
7.0
2003
112
92
0.76
0.68
28.0
24.2
22.1
22.8
0.006
N/A
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.1
7.1
2002
125
112
0.74
0.65
30.6
24.2
24.7
24.7
0.008
N/A
26.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.6
6.9
2001
124
115
0.81
0.68
32.4
27.2
24.9
25.2
0.020
N/A
26.9
22.6
N/A
N/A
7.2
7.7
2000
116
101
0.93
0.69
33.0
29.9
23.1
22.4
0.022
N/A
22.2
22.2
N/A
N/A
7.2
7.6
Natural disasters
Type
Staten Island
Ramapo
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
61.3%
65.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
31.2%
31.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
19%
23%
Transportation
Staten Island has good public transit with buses, ferries, and trains. Ramapo's public transit mainly consists of buses, but it also has access to commuter trains to NYC.
Transport
Type
Staten Island
Ramapo
Amtrak stations nearby
3
2
FAA registered aircraft
39
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
2
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Staten Island
Ramapo
Bicycle
0.2%
0.3%
Bus
19.2%
7.7%
Carpooled
12.1%
13.1%
Car alone
54.3%
67.4%
Ferryboat
5.3%
0%
Railroad
0.9%
1.8%
Subway
2.6%
0.2%
Taxicab
0.4%
1.3%
Walked
2.9%
3.9%
Average travel time to work
Type
Staten Island
Ramapo
Average
45.3 min
33.2 min
Real Estate
Staten Island's real estate market is more expensive, with higher median home prices. Ramapo, while not cheap, generally offers more affordable housing options.
Neighborhoods
Staten Island is known for its family-oriented neighborhoods like Westerleigh and South Beach. Ramapo has charming residential communities, including Montebello and Airmont.
Houses and residents
Type
Staten Island
Ramapo
Houses
163,993
32,422
Average household size (people)
2.8
3.6
Houses occupied
156,341 (95.3%)
31,561 (97.3%)
Houses occupied by owners
99,732 (63.8%)
20,193 (64%)
Houses occupied by renters
56,609 (36.2%)
11,368 (36%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,320
$1,574
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$369,853
$706,132
Estimated median house or condo value
$605,500
$473,589
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.9
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.1
7.1
Renting percentage
35.9%
40.2%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,804.3
529.4
Household income disparities
43.8%
45.4%
Housing units without a mortgage
19,289 (25%)
4,126 (24.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
160 (0.2%)
35 (0.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
57,986 (75%)
12,701 (75.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
5,623 (7.3%)
1,604 (9.5%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
4,499 (5.8%)
1,110 (6.6%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.6%
0.7%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.5%
0.6%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Staten Island
Ramapo
One, detached
33.8%
55.6%
One, attached
24.2%
6.9%
Two
23.0%
6.8%
3 or 4
5.0%
8.8%
5 to 9
2.4%
6.2%
10 to 19
1.6%
4.0%
20 to 49
2.9%
3.9%
50 or more
6.9%
7.8%
Mobile homes
0.2%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
7,611
2,937
State government workers
6,285
1,977
Unpaid family workers
394
127
Industries and Occupations
Staten Island's economy is dominated by healthcare, educational services, and retail trade. In contrast, Ramapo's prominent industries include manufacturing, educational services, and healthcare.
Healthcare services in Staten Island are comprehensive with multiple hospitals and clinics, the largest being the Staten Island University Hospital. In Ramapo, healthcare facilities might not be as extensive, but good quality care is available in nearby larger cities, like Suffern.
Staten Island boasts excellent infrastructure, including the impressive Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. Ramapo's infrastructure is less grand but maintains good road connections to nearby cities and a robust public utility system.
Infrastructure
Type
Staten Island
Ramapo
TV stations
30
27
Nuclear power plants nearby
0
2
Culture and Food
Staten Island has a rich cultural mix, reflected in its food and various cultural institutions. Famous for its pizza and Italian cuisine, it also has a notable Sri Lankan community. Ramapo, while less diverse, still offers a variety of food options and cultural experiences, particularly centered around its Jewish Community.
Sports Teams
While Staten Island doesn't host any major league teams, it has the Staten Island Yankees, a minor league baseball team. Ramapo, on the other hand, doesn't host teams but is in proximity to NYC teams.
Staten Island, NY
Ramapo, NY
