NYC Neighborhood Comparison
Manhattan
Brooklyn
For buyers focused on affordability, Williamsburg has the lower median sale price at $1.1M vs $1.3M in Lower East Side.
Investors analyzing rental yield will find Williamsburg offers a stronger rent-to-price ratio based on current market data.
Commuters have more transit options in Lower East Side, which is served by 6 subway lines compared to 0 in Williamsburg.
| Metric | Lower East Side | Williamsburg |
|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $1,275,000 | $1,100,000 |
| Median Condo Price | $2,400,000 | $1,100,000 |
| Median Co-op Price | $580,000 | $430,000 |
| Median Rent | $5,200 | $5,041 |
| Active Listings | 209 | 265 |
| Rental Inventory | 407 | 1334 |
| Days on Market | 122.5 | 71 |
| Price Cut Share | 10.5% | 7.9% |
| Monthly Sales Volume | 13 | 22 |
| YoY Price Change | N/A | -27.6% |
| YoY Rent Change | +10.6% | +2.3% |
| YoY Inventory Change | +11.2% | +3.5% |
| Subway Lines | B D F J M Z | N/A |
The Lower East Side (LES) is a neighborhood where New York’s storied history meets its high-end future. Known for its legendary nightlife and deep historic roots, the area has seen a dramatic transformation with the arrival of luxury towers like Essex Crossing. The housing stock is a unique mix of historic walk-up cooperatives, value-driven HDFC units, and ultra-modern condominiums that offer some of the best views in Downtown Manhattan.
View Full Market ReportWilliamsburg 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 ReportEast Broadway (F) — 0.3 mi
Delancey St-Essex St (F J M Z) — 0.3 mi
Grand St (B D) — 0.5 mi
Bowery (J Z) — 0.5 mi
Second Ave (F) — 0.6 mi
No subway data available
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.
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. Lower East Side and Williamsburg both tracked this broader NYC arc, with annual closing volume contracting sharply in 2009 and again in Q2 2020 before normalizing.
Lower East Side tracked the more resilient Manhattan price path with a 10% to 15% peak-to-trough decline, while Williamsburg 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) | Lower East Side | Williamsburg |
|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $1,275,000 | $1,100,000 |
| Median Rent | $5,200/mo | $5,041/mo |
| Year-over-Year Price Change | N/A | -27.6% |
| Average Days on Market | 122.5 days | 71 days |
| Distance to Nearest Subway | 0.26 mi | N/A |
Table values reflect current 2026 market conditions. Historical 2008-2020 commentary is sourced from Case-Shiller NYC metro composite and StreetEasy historical series.
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Data updated:
