Milton Coste

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Chelsea vs DUMBO

DUMBO vs Chelsea: side-by-side market data, transit, and neighborhood profiles to help you decide.

Manhattan|Brooklyn

Chelsea

Manhattan

DUMBO

Brooklyn

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, DUMBO has the lower median sale price at $1,265,000 vs $1,375,000 in Chelsea.

Investors analyzing rental yield will find DUMBO offers a stronger rent-to-price ratio based on current market data.

Commuters have more transit options in Chelsea, which is served by 14 subway lines compared to 6 in DUMBO.

Median Sale Price
$1.4M
$1.3M
Median Rent
$6K
$6K
Active Listings
381
100
Avg Days on Market
36 days
57 days
YoY Price Change
-0.7%
-15.7%
Monthly Sales Volume
31
5

Detailed Comparison

MetricChelseaDUMBO
Median Sale Price$1,375,000$1,265,000
Median Condo Price$2,450,000$1,265,000
Median Co-op Price$650,000$384,000
Median Rent$6,061$5,900
Active Listings381100
Rental Inventory573161
Days on Market3657
Price Cut Share11.5%15.0%
Monthly Sales Volume315
YoY Price Change-0.7%-15.7%
YoY Rent Change+6.4%+3.5%
YoY Inventory Change-19.3%+6.4%
Subway Lines1 2 3 A B C D E F M N Q R W2 3 A C F R

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Chelsea moved -0.7% over the past year, compared to -15.7% in DUMBO. Both markets have seen price softening, with DUMBO declining more sharply over the measured period.

Neighborhood Profiles

Chelsea

Chelsea is the epicenter of New York’s contemporary art world and a hub for innovative architecture. Home to the High Line and Chelsea Market, the neighborhood mixes industrial history with modern luxury. The real estate market here is dominated by high-end condominium developments designed by world-renowned architects, alongside historic pre-war lofts and historic townhouses in the Chelsea Historic District.

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DUMBO

DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) sits between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges along the East River waterfront, with a 95-building historic district of converted industrial warehouses. The housing market features spacious loft residences with exposed brick and high ceilings alongside modern luxury condominiums with skyline and waterfront views, served by the F train at York Street and the A and C at High Street. Brooklyn Bridge Park stretches along the waterfront with piers, playgrounds, and Jane's Carousel.

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Transit Access

Chelsea

123ABCDEFMNQRW

34 St-Penn Station (1 2 3 A C E) — 0.6 mi

34 St-Herald Sq (B D F M N Q R W) — 0.7 mi

DUMBO

23ACFR

York St (F) — 0.2 mi

High St (A C) — 0.3 mi

Clark St (2 3) — 0.5 mi

Court St (R) — 0.7 mi

East Broadway (F) — 0.7 mi

Active Listings

Chelsea for sale

View all Chelsea listings

DUMBO for sale

View all DUMBO listings

Listing data is derived in whole or in part from the RLS at REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York) Internet Data Exchange (IDX) database. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Milton Coste | Keller Williams NYC are marked with the RLS logo. The information provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Data is refreshed every 15 minutes per REBNY IDX requirements.

Chelsea vs DUMBO: Home Price Resilience 2008-2020

From the 2008 financial crisis through the 2020 pandemic, the NYC metro Case-Shiller composite fell about 25% peak-to-trough between 2007 and 2012, then fully recovered by 2017 and gained another 15% through Q1 2020. Chelsea and DUMBO both tracked this broader NYC arc, with annual closing volume contracting sharply in 2009 and again in Q2 2020 before normalizing.

Chelsea tracked the more resilient Manhattan price path with a 10% to 15% peak-to-trough decline, while DUMBO moved closer to the broader NYC metro pattern of a 20% to 25% retracement before recovering through 2017.

Source: Per Case-Shiller Home Price Index, NYC metro subset, 2008-2020, cross-referenced with StreetEasy historical price data series.

Metric (2026)ChelseaDUMBO
Median Sale Price$1,375,000$1,265,000
Median Rent$6,061/mo$5,900/mo
Year-over-Year Price Change-0.7%-15.7%
Average Days on Market36 days57 days
Distance to Nearest Subway0.59 mi0.16 mi

Table values reflect current 2026 market conditions. Historical 2008-2020 commentary is sourced from Case-Shiller NYC metro composite and StreetEasy historical series.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more expensive, Chelsea or DUMBO?
Chelsea is more expensive to buy in. Its median sale price is $1,375,000, compared with $1,265,000 in DUMBO, a gap of $110,000 (8.7%). Median rent is $6,061 a month in Chelsea and $5,900 in DUMBO.
What is the difference between Chelsea and DUMBO?
The median sale price is $1,375,000 in Chelsea and $1,265,000 in DUMBO. Median rent is $6,061 a month in Chelsea and $5,900 in DUMBO. Homes average 36 days on the market in Chelsea and 57 in DUMBO. Chelsea is served by 14 subway lines and DUMBO by 6. The comparison table above has the full set of figures.
Is Chelsea cheaper than DUMBO?
DUMBO is more affordable, with a median sale price of $1,265,000 vs $1,375,000 in Chelsea. Pricing can vary widely by building, floor, and unit condition, so review current listings for accurate comparisons.
Which has better transit, Chelsea or DUMBO?
Chelsea has access to 14 subway lines and DUMBO has 6, making Chelsea the stronger option for transit access. DUMBO has 6 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, Chelsea or DUMBO?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Chelsea and DUMBO both offer a mix of apartment and multi-room units in co-ops, condos, and townhouses. Larger 3- and 4-bedroom units, including townhouses and multi-family properties, tend to be more available in lower-density areas. Reviewing active listings filtered by bedroom count is the most reliable way to see what each neighborhood currently offers for larger households. A licensed broker can pull current inventory by bedroom count across both areas for a direct comparison.
Should I buy in Chelsea or DUMBO?
The right neighborhood depends on your price range, commute needs, and preferred property type. A comparative market analysis (CMA) of recent sales in both Chelsea and DUMBO gives you the clearest picture of what your budget gets in each location. Request a free CMA from Milton Coste to get a side-by-side breakdown of current opportunities.

More Comparisons

Need Help Choosing?

With 25+ years of experience across all five boroughs, I can help you find the right neighborhood for your lifestyle and budget.

Data updated:

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