If you are weighing where to land in Westchester County, Scarsdale and Larchmont sit near the top of almost every short list. Both are affluent, both have excellent public schools, both put you in midtown Manhattan in well under an hour, and both carry the higher cost of living that comes with that combination. But the two towns express that quality of life in very different ways, and the right choice usually comes down to setting and lifestyle rather than prestige alone.

Scarsdale is a classic inland suburb, a village of roughly 18,000 known for Tudor and Colonial architecture, mature tree-lined streets, and a public school district that ranks first in the county. Larchmont is a smaller waterfront village within the Town of Mamaroneck, sitting directly on Long Island Sound, where sailing, harbor views, and historic beach and yacht clubs define daily life. Larchmont is often described as “one square mile of paradise,” a nod to both its compact footprint and its coastal character.

Below we break down prices, taxes, schools, commute, and lifestyle, with current 2025 to 2026 figures and the sources behind them. Real estate numbers move month to month, so treat these as ranges rather than fixed quotes, and reach out for the most current data on any specific street or property type.

This table summarizes the key differences. Figures are 2025 to 2026 ranges drawn from public market data and should be confirmed for any specific search.

Sources: Redfin and Zillow market data (2025 to 2026); City-Data Westchester tax discussion; Niche and SchoolDigger district rankings; MTA Metro-North.

The most important difference between these two towns has nothing to do with price. It is geography. Scarsdale is inland and Larchmont is on the water, and that single fact shapes nearly everything else about how the two communities feel.

Scarsdale: The Classic Tudor Suburb

Scarsdale developed primarily in the early 20th century as a planned suburban community, and it still reads that way in the best sense. Curving residential streets, mature trees, and a high concentration of Tudor, Colonial, and Georgian homes give the village a settled, timeless elegance. Lots tend to be larger than in Larchmont, and the overall scale is more spread out. The village center offers boutique shopping and everyday services, and the lifestyle leans toward private clubs, golf, and family recreation rather than nightlife. It is, by design, a quiet and polished residential town.

Larchmont: One Square Mile of Paradise

Larchmont sits directly on Long Island Sound, and the water is the organizing principle of the village. Larchmont Harbor fills with mooring buoys and small yachts through the summer, and the shoreline is anchored by historic institutions. The Larchmont Yacht Club, founded in 1880, is the oldest yacht club in America and remains one of the Sound’s most prestigious sailing clubs, while the Larchmont Shore Club, founded in 1925, serves more than 500 member families across its waterfront grounds. Manor Park offers public shoreline access with rocky outcrops and Sound views. The housing stock skews toward Victorian, Colonial, and shingle-style homes on more compact village lots, and the downtown is genuinely walkable. The feel is coastal, social, and tightly knit.

Scarsdale carries the higher price tag of the two. The village-wide median home price sits around $2.1 million, with significant variation by neighborhood, from the more accessible Greenacres to the grand estates of Heathcote. Inventory is limited and well-located homes often draw multiple offers.

Larchmont is generally more attainable at the median, though it is far from inexpensive. Recent data put the median sold price near $1.46 million in early 2025 (per Rocket Homes), rising to roughly $1.5 to $1.6 million later in 2025 (per Zillow and Redfin), with list prices trending toward $1.79 million heading into 2026. Larchmont homes have been selling quickly, often within about 20 days, which tells you demand on the water remains strong.

The practical takeaway: for a comparable home, you will typically pay a premium in Scarsdale, much of it tied to the school district and lot sizes. In Larchmont, a similar budget can buy proximity to the water and a walkable village, though waterfront and harbor-view homes command their own premium that can rival or exceed Scarsdale pricing.

Sources: Redfin and Zillow housing market pages for Scarsdale and Larchmont; Rocket Homes Larchmont market report (March 2025). Figures are 2025 to 2026 ranges and change over time.

Here the two towns are closer than many buyers expect. Both Scarsdale and Larchmont carry an effective property tax rate of roughly 2.3 percent, in line with the broader pattern across affluent Westchester communities. Because Scarsdale homes sell at a higher median, the dollar amount of the annual tax bill tends to be higher there simply because it is applied to a larger assessed value.

In practical terms, annual property tax bills in both towns commonly land in the five figures and can reach the $20,000 to $30,000 range or higher for larger homes. Westchester is among the highest-property-tax counties in the country, so this is part of the cost of entry in either place. Most residents view the taxes as the price of the school quality and municipal services.

Source: City-Data Westchester County forum discussion on town tax rates. Confirm the exact figure for any individual property.

Both towns are anchored by excellent public schools, which is a large part of why families pay to live in either. The distinction is one of degree, not of quality.

Scarsdale is served by the Scarsdale Union Free School District, consistently ranked #1 in Westchester County and among the top districts in New York State and the nation. It carries an A+ rating, very high proficiency and graduation rates, and small class sizes. For schools-first buyers, this ranking is the single strongest argument for Scarsdale.

Larchmont is served by the Mamaroneck Union Free School District, also rated A+ and ranked roughly #24 among New York districts by Niche. The district posts strong results, with average testing in the top 10 percent of New York public schools, math proficiency around 80 percent, and reading proficiency around 70 percent, both well above state averages. Mamaroneck High School is well regarded nationally.

The honest read: both districts will serve a family extremely well. Scarsdale edges ahead on county and state ranking, which matters at resale and for buyers who weight schools above all else. Larchmont is a very strong district in its own right and should not be considered a compromise.

Sources: Niche and SchoolDigger district rankings; U.S. News high school rankings; Public School Review (2025 to 2026).

For Manhattan commuters, both towns are well within a comfortable rail commute, and the difference is modest. The key distinction is which Metro-North line you ride.

In short, the commute is close to a wash. Scarsdale tends to be slightly faster and more consistent on the Harlem Line, while Larchmont commuters trade a few minutes for the ability to walk home to the water. Walkability to the station favors Larchmont’s compact village layout, where many residents reach the platform on foot.

Sources: MTA Metro-North schedules; Larchmont station distance and travel-time references.

This is where the two towns separate most clearly, and where most buyers ultimately make their decision.

Scarsdale: Clubs, Golf, and Green Space

Scarsdale’s recreation centers on parks, municipal pools and tennis, and prestigious private clubs. Quaker Ridge Golf Club ranks among the top courses in the country, and the village maintains numerous neighborhood parks and a large pool complex. The lifestyle is suburban and family-focused, oriented around schools, sports, and clubs rather than a waterfront.

Larchmont: Life on the Sound

Larchmont’s recreation begins at the water. Sailing is woven into the identity of the village through the Larchmont Yacht Club and its famous race week, while the Larchmont Shore Club offers beach, pool, tennis, dining, and children’s summer programs on the Sound. Manor Park provides public shoreline access, and the walkable downtown clusters cafes, restaurants, and shops within easy reach of most homes. For families who want a summer rhythm built around the harbor and the beach, Larchmont is hard to match in Westchester.

Neither town is objectively “better.” They serve different buyers. Here is how to think about the fit.

Choose Scarsdale if you…

• Put the absolute top-ranked school district at the center of your decision
• Want larger lots and more separation between homes
• Love Tudor, Colonial, and Georgian architecture
• Prefer a classic, polished inland suburb and value resale strength tied to the schools
• Are comfortable paying a premium for that combination

Choose Larchmont if you…

• Want to live on or near the water, with sailing and beach clubs close at hand
• Value a walkable village where you can stroll to the train, shops, and restaurants
• Prefer Victorian and Colonial coastal homes with character
• Want a strong school district at a generally lower median entry price
• Picture summers built around the Sound and the harbor

Many families seriously consider both, and the right answer often becomes obvious only after spending a weekend in each. If you would like a guided tour of both towns with current listings and honest pros and cons for your specific budget and timeline, that is exactly what we do.

Is Scarsdale or Larchmont more expensive?

Scarsdale is generally more expensive at the median, with home prices around $2.1 million versus roughly $1.5 to $1.6 million in Larchmont as of late 2025. That said, waterfront and harbor-view homes in Larchmont can command premiums that rival or exceed Scarsdale pricing.

Which town has better schools, Scarsdale or Larchmont?

Both are A+ rated. Scarsdale Union Free is ranked #1 in Westchester County and among the top districts in New York State. Larchmont’s Mamaroneck Union Free district is also top tier, ranked roughly #24 in New York, with testing in the top 10 percent of the state. Scarsdale edges ahead on ranking, but both are excellent.

Is the commute faster from Scarsdale or Larchmont?

They are close. Scarsdale sits on the Harlem Line with trips to Grand Central around 33 to 35 minutes. Larchmont sits on the New Haven Line, about 18.7 miles out, with trips typically 25 to 40 minutes depending on whether you catch an express. Larchmont’s compact village makes walking to the station easier for many residents.

Does Larchmont have lower property taxes than Scarsdale?

Not really, on a rate basis. Both towns carry an effective property tax rate of roughly 2.3 percent. Because Scarsdale homes sell for more, the dollar tax bill tends to be higher there, but that reflects higher home values rather than a meaningfully different rate.

What is the main lifestyle difference between Scarsdale and Larchmont?

Scarsdale is an inland Tudor suburb oriented around schools, golf, country clubs, and green space. Larchmont is a waterfront village on Long Island Sound oriented around sailing, beach and yacht clubs, harbor views, and a walkable downtown. Setting is the defining difference.

Is Larchmont a town or a village?

Larchmont is an incorporated village that sits within the larger Town of Mamaroneck. Its public schools are part of the Mamaroneck Union Free School District. Scarsdale, by contrast, is its own village with its own school district.

Which town is better for families with young children?

Both are outstanding for families. Scarsdale offers the top-ranked schools and larger lots, while Larchmont offers a walkable village, the waterfront, and beach club summers at a generally lower entry price. The better fit depends on whether schools-first or lifestyle-first drives your decision.

Can you walk to the train in both towns?

Walkability is generally easier in Larchmont because of its compact, one-square-mile village layout, where many homes are within walking distance of the station and downtown. In Scarsdale, walkability varies by neighborhood, with Fox Meadow being the most walkable to the station.