We Did the Math: The Neighborhoods to Look at Right Now for Affordable Rent in NYC

Looking to move to New York, but don’t know where to actually look for your new home? NYC is full of amazing neighborhoods and each one has something special to offer, but if you’re looking for a less expensive start, these neighborhoods in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens can boast more affordable rent, tons of parks, amazing food and plenty of culture—not to mention an easier commute.

Note: All of these neighborhoods were chosen by two factors, based on 2016 4th quarter data from Street Easy: First, the median rent in each neighborhood is lower than the median rent of the borough they’re in, and second, the travel time from each neighborhood to Midtown Manhattan is 30 minutes or less.

Median Rent: $2,200 ($1,016 less than the median for Manhattan)
Commute Time: 22 minutes
Nearby Subways: A, C, 1
Must-Try Bars, Restaurants and Cafes: Saggio, Le Chéile, Buddha Beer Bar, La Casa Del Mofongo, Cafe Buunni
Other Attractions: Washington Heights is all but surrounded by parks—Highbridge Park, Fort Washington Park, and Fort Tryon Park. Fort Tryon Park is home to The Cloisters, an exhibit from The Met on medieval European gardens, art and architecture.

Median Rent: $2,295 ($921 less than the median for Manhattan)
Commute time: 17 minutes
Nearby Subways: 4, 5, 6
Must-Try Bars, Restaurants and Cafes: Taco Mix, Don Paco Panaderia, Patsy’s Pizzeria, ABV Wine Bar, Da Capo
Other Attractions: The lower half of East Harlem borders Central Park, where you can visit the Conservatory Garden. East Harlem is also home to El Museo del Bario—a museum for Puerto Rican, Caribbean and Latin American art—as well as the Graffiti Hall of Fame and the Museum of the City of New York.

Median Rent: $2,400 ($816 less than the median for Manhattan)
Commute time: 17 minutes
Nearby Subways: A, B, C, D, 1
Must-Try Bars, Restaurants and Cafes: Harlem Public, The Chipped Cup, The Grange, ROKC, Tsion Cafe
Other Attractions: Head to Riverbank State Park for an urban rooftop park complete with playgrounds, track and sports fields, an outdoor swimming pool and a skating rink, all overlooking the Hudson River. You can also visit the Convent Garden and take in the neighborhood’s historic district.

Median Rent: $2,150 ($669 less than the median for Brooklyn)
Commute time: 28 minutes
Nearby Subways: B, Q, S, 2, 5
Must-Try Bars, Restaurants and Cafes: Blessings Cafe, Allan’s Bakery, Midwood Flats, Pel’s Pie Co., Mango Seed
Other Attractions: Prospect Lefferts Gardens borders the bottom half of Prospect Park, with easy access both to the Prospect Park Zoo and the LeFrak Center at Lakeside (where you can skate, rent boats, and more). The neighborhood is also home to The Owl Music Parlor, a live music venue.

Median Rent: $2,350 ($469 less than the median for Brooklyn)
Commute time: 25 minutes
Nearby Subways: B, Q, S, 2, 3, 4, 5
Must-Try Bars, Restaurants and Cafes: Bunsmith, Glady’s, Barboncino Pizza, Catfish, Breukelen Coffee House
Other Attractions: Crown Heights borders the top half of Prospect Park, where you can visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (and attend the annual cherry blossom festival). You can also visit the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and the Jewish Children’s Museum, and in the summer you can attend the West Indian Parade and carnival.

Median Rent: $2,400 ($419 less than the median for Brooklyn)
Commute time: 29 minutes
Nearby Subways: A, C, G, J, M, Z
Must-Try Bars, Restaurants and Cafes: Glorietta Baldy, Peaches, Dough, L’Antagoniste, Saraghina
Other Attractions: Bedford-Stuyvesant is great if you’re looking to live near a dog park—Herbert Von King Park is right there. It’s also home to several vintage and antiques shops (Harold and Maude Vintage, I Like Mike’s, and Bedford Galleries, just to name a few) as well as the Billie Holiday Theatre, and has a beautiful historic district.

Median Rent: $1,900 ($499 less than the median for Queens)
Commute time: 30 minutes
Nearby Subways: 7
Must-Try Bars, Restaurants and Cafes: Samudra, Kitchen 79, La Nueva Bakery, El Chivito D’Oro, Amaru Bar
Other Attractions: Jackson Heights has a great outdoor space in Travers Park—perfect for picnics and roller hockey—as well as Terrazza 7, a jazz and folk music venue and community center. It’s also home to the Queens Pride House, an LGBTQ+ community center. The neighborhood also borders LaGuardia Airport, so taking a trip out of the city is even easier.

Median Rent: $2,000 ($399 less than the median for Queens)
Commute time: 16 minutes
Nearby Subways: 7
Must-Try Bars, Restaurants and Cafes: Mangal Kabob, Alpha Donuts, Molly Blooms, The Dog and Duck, Blu Orchid
Other Attractions: On weekends from June to December, Sunnyside is home to a great farmer’s market—the Sunnyside Greenmarket. You can also see plays, musicals and dance shows at the Thalia Spanish Theatre, and shop at several vintage stores (like Stray Vintage and Sunnyside Thrift Shop).

Median Rent: $2,000 ($399 less than the median for Queens)
Commute time: 23 minutes
Nearby Subways: E, M, R, 7
Must-Try Bars, Restaurants and Cafes: SriPraPhai, Cemitas El Tigre, Papa’s Kitchen, Aubergine Cafe, Donovan’s Pub
Other Attractions: Woodside boasts several parks throughout—Windmuller Park/Lawrence Virgilio Playground, Big Bush Park and Doughboy Plaza, to name a few. Each March, you can also attend the annual St. Pat’s for All Parade, a St. Patrick’s Day Parade that also celebrates diversity and the LGBTQ+ community.