Milton Coste

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Melrose vs Williamsburg

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

Bronx|Brooklyn

Melrose

Bronx

Williamsburg

Brooklyn

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Melrose has the lower median sale price at $597K vs $1.1M in Williamsburg.

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

Median Sale Price
$597K
$1.1M
Median Rent
$2K
$5K
Active Listings
2
265
Avg Days on Market
110 days
71 days
YoY Price Change
N/A
-27.6%
Monthly Sales Volume
2
22

Detailed Comparison

MetricMelroseWilliamsburg
Median Sale Price$596,694$1,100,000
Median Condo PriceN/A$1,100,000
Median Co-op PriceN/A$430,000
Median Rent$2,195$5,041
Active Listings2265
Rental Inventory51334
Days on Market11071
Price Cut Share50.0%7.9%
Monthly Sales Volume222
YoY Price ChangeN/A-27.6%
YoY Rent Change-2.4%+2.3%
YoY Inventory Change-66.7%+3.5%
Subway LinesN/AN/A

Neighborhood Profiles

Melrose

Melrose features 19th-century brownstones, neo-Renaissance apartment houses, and modern LEED-certified developments like Via Verde, all anchored by the commercial corridors along Third Avenue and Melrose Avenue. The 2 and 5 trains stop at East 149th Street, the 4 train serves nearby stations, and St. Mary's Park provides 35 acres of green space on the neighborhood's edge.

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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.

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Transit Access

Melrose

No subway data available

Williamsburg

No subway data available

Active Listings

Melrose for sale

View all Melrose 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.

Melrose 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. Melrose 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 Melrose 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)MelroseWilliamsburg
Median Sale Price$596,694$1,100,000
Median Rent$2,195/mo$5,041/mo
Year-over-Year Price ChangeN/A-27.6%
Average Days on Market110 days71 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 Melrose cheaper than Williamsburg?
Yes, Melrose has a lower median sale price at $596,694 compared to $1,100,000 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, Melrose or Williamsburg?
Transit data is not available for these neighborhoods. Check the MTA website for current service maps.
Which is better for families, Melrose or Williamsburg?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Melrose 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 Melrose 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 Melrose 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.

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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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