Forest Hills has one of the widest co-op-to-condo price gaps in Queens: a median co-op sale near $315,000 against a condo median close to $995,000. That gap is not a data quirk, it reflects two very different products, the large stock of prewar co-op apartments that make up most sales, and a much smaller, much pricier band of newer full-service condos. I have closed deals in Forest Hills over the years, and knowing which side of that gap your unit sits on, and why, is the starting point for pricing it right, whether you are buying or selling here in 2026.
This guide covers both sides of a Forest Hills deal: what your unit is worth if you are considering selling, and what it actually costs and requires to buy here. For live inventory and regularly updated price trends, see the Forest Hills market report.
Forest Hills by the Numbers
Forest Hills is a co-op-led market with a high-end condo tier on top. The bulk of sales are prewar co-op apartments, many in the large Tudor and elevator buildings near Austin Street and the 71st Avenue transit hub, while newer full-service condos trade at multiples of the co-op median.
| Metric | Forest Hills | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Median co-op sale price | ~$315,000 | Prewar co-op stock, the bulk of sales |
| Median condo sale price | ~$995,000 | Newer full-service condos, a much higher tier |
| Median rent | ~$2,950/mo | Reflects the range of building types |
| Days on market | ~59 days | A moderate market pace for Queens |
These figures move with the market, so treat this table as a snapshot rather than a fixed number. For the current, continuously updated version of every metric here, including active inventory and the sale-to-list ratio, the Forest Hills market report pulls live data instead of a static table.
What Your Forest Hills Co-op Is Worth
The wide price band means the first question in any Forest Hills valuation is which market your unit belongs to: the prewar co-op stock or the newer condo tier. Within the co-op market, value turns on building and unit specifics: the building's underlying mortgage and when it comes due, the flip tax in your proprietary lease if there is one, your monthly maintenance relative to comparable units, the layout and size that distinguish the prewar apartments, and whether the building permits subletting. Full-service condo buildings price on their own comps entirely and should never be valued off co-op numbers or the reverse.
A unit priced off a blended neighborhood median is almost guaranteed to be wrong, given how far apart the two markets sit. I walk every Forest Hills listing and review the building's financials before I set a number, the same process I use in every neighborhood I sell. For the full valuation method, see how much your apartment is worth, and for the closing-cost side of a sale, the seller net-proceeds guide runs through every line, including whether your building carries a flip tax.
Buying in Forest Hills: What to Expect
Forest Hills draws a broad range of buyers, from first-time buyers targeting the prewar co-ops at the affordable end to buyers who want a newer full-service condo with a doorman and amenities. The neighborhood pairs strong transit with the Austin Street retail corridor, which is part of its steady demand. Because most of the inventory is co-op, most buyers here go through board approval; get your target building's specific board-package requirements and financial minimums before you make an offer, not after.
Good fit for
- • First-time buyers targeting prewar co-ops at the affordable end
- • Buyers who want a newer full-service condo with amenities
- • Commuters who want express subway plus LIRR access
- • Buyers who value the Austin Street retail corridor
Keep in mind before offering
- • Co-op and condo prices sit far apart; compare like to like
- • Board approval timelines vary widely by building
- • Full-service condos carry higher common charges
- • Sublet policies differ significantly between buildings
For buyers weighing financing help, the first-time buyer programs guide covers down payment assistance that applies in Forest Hills the same as anywhere in the city.
Active Forest Hills Listings
Live data · Updated every 15 min · Source: REBNY RLS
150 Burns Street #6H
Forest Hills
102-02 Ascan Avenue
Forest Hills
Listing information provided courtesy of the Real Estate Board of New York's Residential Listing Service (RLS). Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Sale listings verified. ©2026 REBNY. RLS data displayed by Keller Williams NYC.
Transit and Access
Forest Hills is served by the E, F, M, and R trains at the 71st Avenue-Forest Hills hub, with the E and F running express to Manhattan, plus the Long Island Rail Road at the Forest Hills station. That mix of express subway and commuter rail is a core reason the neighborhood holds steady demand across both its co-op and condo markets.
Buying or Selling in Forest Hills?
I have closed deals in Forest Hills across both the prewar co-op and full-service condo markets. I know which side your unit belongs to and how each one prices. Let's talk about your specific situation.
Schedule a Free ConsultationForest Hills is really two markets under one name, and the mistake that costs sellers and buyers the most is treating it as one. Price to the market your unit actually sits in, use real building-level comps, and the wide neighborhood spread stops being confusing and starts being useful. The numbers in this guide are the same ones I use with my own clients.
