Milton Coste

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Jamaica Estates vs Hillcrest

Hillcrest vs Jamaica Estates: side-by-side market data, transit, and neighborhood profiles to help you decide.

Queens|Queens

Jamaica Estates

Queens

Hillcrest

Queens

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Hillcrest has the lower median sale price at $1.2M vs $1.3M in Jamaica Estates.

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

Median Sale Price
$1.3M
$1.2M
Median Rent
$3K
$3K
Active Listings
16
11
Avg Days on Market
209 days
61 days
YoY Price Change
+420.0%
+32.3%
Monthly Sales Volume
4
3

Detailed Comparison

MetricJamaica EstatesHillcrest
Median Sale Price$1,300,000$1,200,000
Median Condo Price$545,000$588,000
Median Co-op Price$225,000N/A
Median Rent$2,700$3,295
Active Listings1611
Rental Inventory334
Days on Market20961
Price Cut Share6.3%27.3%
Monthly Sales Volume43
YoY Price Change+420.0%+32.3%
YoY Rent Change-1.8%+3.0%
YoY Inventory Change-38.5%+120.0%
Subway LinesN/AN/A

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Jamaica Estates moved +420.0% over the past year, compared to +32.3% in Hillcrest. The +420.0% gain in Jamaica Estates reflects stronger buyer demand relative to available inventory in that market.

Neighborhood Profiles

Jamaica Estates

Jamaica Estates is a residential Queens neighborhood of large Tudor, Colonial, and Mediterranean-style homes on winding tree-lined streets along the hills of the terminal moraine. The F train at Hillside Avenue and the LIRR at Jamaica station are accessible by bus. The Grand Central Parkway borders the neighborhood to the north, providing highway access to Manhattan and Long Island.

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Hillcrest

Hillcrest is a hilly residential Queens neighborhood of brick Tudor and Colonial homes, garden-apartment cooperatives, and mid-rise condominium buildings along the spine of the Jamaica Hills ridge. The F train at Parsons Boulevard and 169th Street stations provides subway access, and local buses connect to Jamaica Center. St. John's University campus borders the neighborhood to the north.

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Transit Access

Jamaica Estates

No subway data available

Hillcrest

No subway data available

Active Listings

Jamaica Estates for sale

View all Jamaica Estates listings

Hillcrest for sale

View all Hillcrest 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.

Jamaica Estates vs Hillcrest: 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. Jamaica Estates and Hillcrest both tracked this broader NYC arc, with annual closing volume contracting sharply in 2009 and again in Q2 2020 before normalizing.

Outer-borough submarkets including Jamaica Estates and Hillcrest generally tracked the broader NYC metro pattern of a 20% to 25% peak-to-trough decline before fully recovering by 2017 and posting further gains through early 2020.

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

Metric (2026)Jamaica EstatesHillcrest
Median Sale Price$1,300,000$1,200,000
Median Rent$2,700/mo$3,295/mo
Year-over-Year Price Change+420.0%+32.3%
Average Days on Market209 days61 days
Distance to Nearest SubwayN/AN/A

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

Is Jamaica Estates cheaper than Hillcrest?
Hillcrest is more affordable, with a median sale price of $1,200,000 vs $1,300,000 in Jamaica Estates. Pricing can vary widely by building, floor, and unit condition, so review current listings for accurate comparisons.
Which has better transit, Jamaica Estates or Hillcrest?
Transit data is not available for these neighborhoods. Check the MTA website for current service maps.
Which is better for families, Jamaica Estates or Hillcrest?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Jamaica Estates and Hillcrest 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 Jamaica Estates or Hillcrest?
The right neighborhood depends on your price range, commute needs, and preferred property type. A comparative market analysis (CMA) of recent sales in both Jamaica Estates and Hillcrest 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.

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Data updated:

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