Top 10 Most Expensive & Cheapest Manhattan Neighborhoods to

manhattan skyline

Manhattan may the city of dreams but it is also notorious for its high rent prices.

Many people interested in moving to New York City do not even consider renting in Manhattan because of this.

While some of the most expensive neighborhoods in the country are located here, there are also neighborhoods that make it possible to live here sustainably.

With the atypical year the country had in 2020, New York City definitely was no exception as rental asking prices dropped noticeably overall.

Nonetheless, even if average rental prices slipped in Manhattan it actually did very little to change which neighborhoods could claim to be the most expensive and the most affordable.

First off, here is a breakdown of the average rental prices for one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Average Rent Price History by Borough
Beds
Date range
Boroughs
Apartment Size One-Bedroom Two-Bedroom Three-Bedroom
Average Monthly Rent $3,380 $5,060 $8,030
Average Yearly Income Needed $135,200 $202,400 $321,200
Top 5 Manhattan Neighborhoods with the Priciest Rent

Manhattan zipcodes are known to have some of the country's most expensive real estate.

We will count down to the highest priced neighborhood in Manhattan.

PropertyNest's Salary Calculator makes it convenient for renters to find out what they need to earn to be able to afford to live in each neighborhood.

We took the average of all one, two, and three-bedroom rentals to extract the top 5 list.

Please keep in mind that the numbers are all averages within each respective neighborhood.

5. NoMad - Median Rent: $9,205

NoMad may not have the same celebrity cache as Tribeca or SoHo but make no mistake, this relatively new district has its fair share of high rollers.

Not quite Flatiron, Chelsea, or Midtown, NoMad has its own unique vibe that deserved its own moniker. Dubbed NoMad or North of Madison Square Park by the real estate industry, it's found significant success in this marketing strategy.

NoMad is a small neighborhood that abuts the north border of Flatiron, that packs a punch with its impressive array of restaurants, high-end hotels, museums, and shops.

Madison Square Park, at the south end of this 'hood is a welcome refuge in the middle of this very urban environment. You might as well pick up a burger at the original Shake Shack in the park while you're at it.

Median Rent in NoMad Apartment Size One-Bedroom Two-Bedroom Three-Bedroom
Median Monthly Rent $4,810 $6,185 $15,900
Average Yearly Income Needed $192,400 $247,400 $636,000
4. SoHo - Median Rent: $9,718

When one imagines the most expensive neighborhoods of New York City, SoHo is one that comes to most people's minds.

Once the home to thousands of immigrants in tenement housing, this neighborhood has become synonymous with cool and posh.

Soho is known for the trendiest boutiques, fashion houses, galleries, and restaurants.

However, what put it on the map is the real estate. The whole area is chock full of historic cast-iron building facades and incredible sprawling loft spaces.

It continues to be a very desirable neighborhood for New York's wealthiest.
Median Rent in SoHo Apartment Size One-Bedroom Two-Bedroom Three-Bedroom
Median Monthly Rent $4,350 $9,380 $13,945
Average Yearly Income Needed $174,000 $375,200 $557,800
3. NoHo - Median Rent: $10,607

Noho may come as a surprise to some that this neighborhood is consistently one of the most expensive areas of Manhattan.

But it shouldn't be a surprise that this neighborhood is making the list as it is surrounded by some of the priciest areas of the lower Manhattan such as Nolita, Greenwich Village, Soho, and the Union Square area.

SoHo, its southern neighbor definitely has a more widespread reputation as one the trendiest areas of New York City.

However, this tiny neighborhood of just several blocks long and three streets wide has captured the attention of those who know best.

Noho is a quiet and exclusive haven wedged between the hustle and bustle of the East Village and the West.

While you can still find some affordable apartments in the area, the real prizes are the sprawling converted loft units that will price most people out.
Median Rent in NoHo Apartment Size One-Bedroom Two-Bedroom Three-Bedroom
Average Monthly Rent $5,660 $8,945 $21,650
Average Yearly Income Needed $226,400 $357,800 $866,000
2. Tribeca - Median Rent: $12,082

Over the past decade Tribeca has risen to the top of the ranks now making it the hottest area in the city to live.

Many celebrities including Taylor Swift, Robert De Niro and Jay-Z & Beyonce call it home.

This small neighborhood has an industrial-meets-classic feel to it.

It is known for its sprawling loft and warehouse conversions.

The converted loft buildings have more spacious apartments, higher ceilings, and open floor plans.

The more "affordable" units tend to be in newly-constructed developments in the area.

It is a family-friendly area with gorgeous green spaces.

Residents also enjoy the neighborhood's trendy restaurants, unique boutiques, art galleries and gourmet coffee shops.
Median Rent in Tribeca Apartment Size One-Bedroom Two-Bedroom Three-Bedroom
Median Monthly Rent $5,510 $10,740 $16,795
Average Yearly Income Needed $220,400 $429,600 $671,800
1. Midtown- Median Rent: $14,437

Midtown is not usually what New Yorkers think of when it comes to the most exclusive neighborhoods.

As a matter of fact, Midtown is mostly known for commerce, the Theater District, and shopping.

While there are quite a number of attractions, most New Yorkers don't really think of it as a place to live, but a place to go to.

However, in the past decades, it has increasingly become a place to live, especially for people who need to work in the area.

Another attractive feature is the strategic location, being at the heart of everything. This means short commute times to uptown, downtown, Queens, and Brooklyn.

An increasing number of luxury hi-rises going up in the area, not to mention that Billionaires' Row is now a thing in Midtown, and have all contributed to the rising prices, and possibly why this area has claimed the top spot.

While Midtown isn't exactly affordable, the prices are marginally better than much of the other top five spots in studios, one-beds, and even two-beds.

However, it's the larger apartments--the four-beds and up that price the competition out. Median price of these larger units is a whopping $47,827 a month!
Median Rent in Midtown Apartment Size One-Bedroom Two-Bedroom Three-Bedroom
Median Monthly Rent $4,195 $7,105 $16,085
Average Yearly Income Needed $167,800 $284,200 $643,400
Honorable Mentions of Expensive Neighborhoods in Manhattan

Even though on average the monthly asking price dropped overall in 2020 in Manhattan, the top five most expensive neighborhoods changed little.

As a matter of fact, there was only one neighborhood that didn't make the list this year. The Flatiron District dropped down to seventh place.

However, its next door neighbor, NoMad did make the cut at fifth place this year.
Flatiron District

This neighborhood has got a lot going for it and it's understandable why this area has emerged as one of Manhattan's most desirable neighborhoods.

The Flatiron District hails its moniker from one of the most iconic buildings in New York City--the Flatiron Building, which is only one of many historic and notable buildings.

The area has a long history as commercial district and only saw its residential real estate's viability beginning in the mid-1980's.

Today there's plenty of good shopping, acclaimed restaurants, theaters, and museums within the beautiful aesthetic of beaux-arts architecture.

At the very heart of this neighborhood is Madison Square Park, which just happens to be the birthplace of the first Shake Shack.
Top 5 Cheapest Manhattan Neighborhoods for Rent

The two words "cheap" and "Manhattan", do not usually accompany each other in the same sentence.

Many people, even NYC residents, are not aware of the affordable living options available to them.

PropertyNest will unveil the not-as-talked-about neighborhoods that may convince readers that living in the city is possible!

It should come as little surprise to many that all of our most affordable neighborhoods reside in upper Manhattan.

While it may seem upper Manhattan is a forgotten area of the city, many of discovered not just cheap rents, but amazingly vibrant neighborhoods.

We will be counting down to the cheapest neighborhood in Manhattan to rent.
5. Manhattanville -Median Rent: $2,830

Manhattanville is a much lesser-known neighborhood of Harlem, sandwiched between Morningside Heights and Hamilton Heights.

Some may consider Manhattanville synonymous with West Harlem

The area is the lowest-located neighborhood of all the most affordable areas of the city, making average commute times to mid or lower-Manhattan slightly faster than that of Hamilton Heights.

This is a bustling area with access to the A/B/C/D and 1 train lines, as well as many shops and restaurants, and easy access to the waterfront along the Hudson, and Riverbank State Park.

The area is popular for students and faculty attending and working at Columbia University, Union Theological Seminary, Teachers' College, Manhattan Music School, and City College, CUNY.

Just living here gives you savings over renting in Morningside Heights which is just a stone's throw away.
Apartment Size One-Bedroom Two-Bedroom Three-Bedroom
Average Monthly Rent $2,210 $2,605 $3,020
Average Yearly Income Needed $88,400 $104,200 $120,800
4. Hamilton Heights - Median Rent: $2,637

Many New Yorkers may not be entirely familiar with Hamilton Heights, which is located north of Manhattanville and west of Harlem.

The area is home to a two historic districts, buildings and sites, as well as gorgeous Riverbank State Park, City College of New York, and the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Hamilton Heights has recently seen an influx of millenials who have discovered the beauty of this historic area and the rock bottom prices.

Low rental prices may not stay that way. Even this neighborhood has seen a rise on pricing for new leases.

A one-bedroom once ran on average well below $1,700. Today, although you can still find deals for $1,650 or $1,700, it's leveled around $2,070, with plenty of higher cost options.
Apartment Size One-Bedroom Two-Bedroom Three-Bedroom
Average Monthly Rent $2,085 $2,440 $2,965
Average Yearly Income Needed $83,400 $97,600 $118,600
3. Washington Heights - Median Rent: $2,526

Similar to how Williamsburg is the hipster hangout in Brooklyn, the same can be said for Washington Heights in Manhattan.

Many millennials who can no longer afford to live in Bushwick and Williamsburg, are choosing to live here.

In addition to affordable rent; ethnic foods, green spaces, and a serene environment allures most people to take up residence in neighborhood.

It is located in the northern portion of Manhattan and offers more breathing room, if you will.

Although it seems somewhat removed from the rest of the city a commute to downtown doesn't take very long at all.

Furthermore, the apartments in this neighborhood are spacious and much more affordable.
Apartment Size One-Bedroom Two-Bedroom Three-Bedroom
Average Monthly Rent $1,960 $2,230 $2,885
Average Yearly Income Needed $78,400 $89,200 $115,400
2. Fort George - Average Rent: $2,144

Like Inwood, Fort George is one of the hidden and undiscovered gems of Manhattan.

Fort George borders Inwood, Hudson Heights, and Washington Heights

It is known for being one of the hilliest and high elevation neighborhoods of the island. Some curved rising streets might even remind you of winding roads in European cities like Paris.

This tranquil neighborhood also borders Fort Tryon Park, where one can gain easy access to the Cloisters Museum.

The neighborhood has always been known for its affordability and it's no surprise that it's made the list for one of the cheapest neighborhoods to live in Manhattan.

Once troubled with crime, today's Fort George has a markedly different tone and has converted into an alternative for those who can't afford to live in popular areas of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Apartment Size One-Bedroom Two-Bedroom Three-Bedroom
Average Monthly Rent $1,785 $2,120 $2,790
Average Yearly Income Needed $71,400 $84,800 $111,600
1. Inwood -Median Rent: $2,024

Inwood is also known as "the last affordable neighborhood in Manhattan," and many don't know what they are missing out on!

Inwood is located at the northernmost tip of Manhattan.

It is a very community-oriented, low-key neighborhood bounded on three sides by the Harlem and Hudson Rivers.

Over half of its residents are foreign born.

The area used to be plagued by crime and violence, but has steadily gotten better since the 1990s.

The neighborhood's specific zoning restrictions limit building heights to seven stories.

Although it does not host the luxury apartments that can be found in Tribeca or Chelsea, it does have many spacious co-ops and low-rise walk-up tenements for a great value.

Apartment Size One-Bedroom Two-Bedroom Three-Bedroom
Average Monthly Rent $1,810 $2,140 $2,505
Average Yearly Income Needed $72,400 $85,600 $100,200
Honorable Mentions

If you were to name neighborhoods that just missed to top 5 picks, you could be there for a while listing all the expensive areas of the borough.

If living in lower Manhattan is preferable, you'll be able to find some deals in Chinatown, Little Italy, and even in the East Village.

These three neighborhoods have held onto lower averages with one-bedrooms averaging $2,950, $3,000, and $3,350, respectively.

This may be far a cry from the lowest 5 neighborhoods, but it's significantly lower than the surrounding neighborhoods in lower Manhattan.

If you don't mind being in upper Manhattan but don't wish to live so far north, take a gander at Morningside Heights.

This charming neighborhood is home to Columbia University and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine--the fifth largest Christian Cathedral in the world.

This neighborhood has access to Central Park, Morningside Park, and Riverside Park, and is home to plenty of great restaurants.

Harlem is also a classic Manhattan neighborhood that's managed to stay affordable although prices have risen in the past few decades.

Try the PropertyNest rent affordability calculator and find out what salary you should be making in order to rent in your desired Manhattan neighborhood.

Our Methodology

Stats for rental medians were aggregated from PropertyNest's proprietary data for all rentals in Manhattan from studio to four-plus bedroom listings. The data was collected over one calendar year to reflect seasonal changes. Some neighborhoods were not included or considered due to scarcity of rental data.