New builds cost more on Long Island, but houses built in the '50s and '60s dominate the market
Fewer than 600 houses sold this year were built after 2020, but the median prices were above $1 million. Credit: Getty Images/Justin Sullivan
Homebuyers on Long Island face countless decisions when setting their priorities.
First floor bedroom for guests and family or bigger living space? Smaller lot that needs less maintenance or big property that requires constant mowing? Turnkey new build or classic older home?
Those opting for newer houses are often in for bigger price tags, according to a Newsday analysis of data from OneKey MLS, the multiple listing service that covers Long Island.
Of nearly 12,000 home sales in 2026, more than 5,000 were built in the 1950s and 1960s. Fewer than 600 were built after 2020.
But while median prices for older homes were closer to the Island-wide median, homes built in the last couple years commanded double the price.
New builds have features like updated utilities, new appliances and energy-efficient windows, as well as upholding the latest codes. Data shows they often have more beds and baths, too.
Houses built in the '50s and '60s tended to have four bedrooms and two bathrooms, while homes built in the 2020s had a median of five beds and four baths.
