Milton Coste

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

(917) 416-7433

NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Jamaica vs Williamsburg

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

Queens|Brooklyn

Jamaica

Queens

Williamsburg

Brooklyn

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Jamaica has the lower median sale price at $430,000 vs $1,450,000 in Williamsburg.

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

Median Sale Price
$430K
$1.4M
Median Rent
$3K
$5K
Active Listings
32
277
Avg Days on Market
83.5 days
43.5 days
YoY Price Change
N/A
-9.4%
Monthly Sales Volume
9
36

Detailed Comparison

MetricJamaicaWilliamsburg
Median Sale Price$430,000$1,450,000
Median Condo Price$250,000$1,260,000
Median Co-op Price$104,000$395,000
Median Rent$2,860$5,000
Active Listings32277
Rental Inventory2681060
Days on Market83.543.5
Price Cut Share9.4%10.8%
Monthly Sales Volume936
YoY Price ChangeN/A-9.4%
YoY Rent Change-1.7%+4.3%
YoY Inventory Change+45.5%+2.6%
Subway LinesN/AN/A

Neighborhood Profiles

Jamaica

Jamaica is a major commercial and transportation hub in central Queens, featuring a mix of prewar apartment buildings, new construction condominiums, and single-family homes radiating from the Jamaica Center transit hub. The E/J/Z trains, LIRR Jamaica station, and AirTrain JFK converge here, making it one of the best-connected neighborhoods in the city. The downtown area is undergoing significant new residential and commercial development.

View Full Market Report

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is the global face of Brooklyn's cultural and residential renaissance. Defined by its stunning waterfront parks and the iconic L-train connection to Manhattan, the neighborhood offers a high-energy lifestyle. The real estate market is dominated by sleek, glass-walled luxury condominiums along the East River, alongside historic warehouse conversions and boutique new developments that cater to a wide range of buyers and renters.

View Full Market Report

Transit Access

Jamaica

No subway data available

Williamsburg

No subway data available

Active Listings

Jamaica for sale

View all Jamaica listings

Williamsburg for sale

View all Williamsburg 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 vs Williamsburg: 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 and Williamsburg 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 and Williamsburg 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)JamaicaWilliamsburg
Median Sale Price$430,000$1,450,000
Median Rent$2,860/mo$5,000/mo
Year-over-Year Price ChangeN/A-9.4%
Average Days on Market83.5 days43.5 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

Which is more expensive, Jamaica or Williamsburg?
Williamsburg is more expensive to buy in. Its median sale price is $1,450,000, compared with $430,000 in Jamaica, a gap of $1,020,000 (237.2%). Median rent is $2,860 a month in Jamaica and $5,000 in Williamsburg.
What is the difference between Jamaica and Williamsburg?
The median sale price is $430,000 in Jamaica and $1,450,000 in Williamsburg. Median rent is $2,860 a month in Jamaica and $5,000 in Williamsburg. Homes average 84 days on the market in Jamaica and 44 in Williamsburg. The comparison table above has the full set of figures.
Is Jamaica cheaper than Williamsburg?
Yes, Jamaica has a lower median sale price at $430,000 compared to $1,450,000 in Williamsburg as of the most recent market data. Co-op and condo prices within each neighborhood can vary significantly, so the right fit depends on property type and building.
Which has better transit, Jamaica or Williamsburg?
Transit data is not available for these neighborhoods. Check the MTA website for current service maps.
Which is better for families, Jamaica or Williamsburg?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Jamaica and Williamsburg 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 or Williamsburg?
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 and Williamsburg 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:

Call Text Valuation