Milton Coste

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

(917) 416-7433

NYC Neighborhood Comparison

All Upper East Side vs Long Island City

Side-by-side market data, transit, and neighborhood profiles to help you decide.

Manhattan|Queens

All Upper East Side

Manhattan

Long Island City

Queens

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Long Island City has the lower median sale price at $1.2M vs $1.3M in All Upper East Side.

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

Commuters have more transit options in Long Island City, which is served by 7 subway lines compared to 3 in All Upper East Side.

Median Sale Price
$1.3M
$1.2M
Median Rent
$4K
$5K
Active Listings
1593
252
Avg Days on Market
59 days
104.5 days
YoY Price Change
+31.0%
+38.6%
Monthly Sales Volume
170
8

Detailed Comparison

MetricAll Upper East SideLong Island City
Median Sale Price$1,332,500$1,237,500
Median Condo Price$1,800,000$1,124,830
Median Co-op Price$1,167,500N/A
Median Rent$4,270$4,500
Active Listings1593252
Rental Inventory1686942
Days on Market59104.5
Price Cut Share13.1%7.5%
Monthly Sales Volume1708
YoY Price Change+31.0%+38.6%
YoY Rent Change+6.9%+3.4%
YoY Inventory Change-3.7%+56.5%
Subway Lines4 5 67 E G M N R W

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in All Upper East Side moved +31.0% over the past year, compared to +38.6% in Long Island City. The +38.6% gain in Long Island City reflects stronger buyer demand relative to available inventory in that market.

Neighborhood Profiles

All Upper East Side

The Upper East Side stretches along Central Park from 59th to 96th Streets, encompassing Lenox Hill, Carnegie Hill, Yorkville, and the Museum Mile. The housing stock is predominantly prewar cooperative apartments in white-glove doorman buildings, complemented by luxury condominiums and historic limestone townhouses. The 4/5/6 trains run along Lexington Avenue, and the Q train serves Second Avenue with newer stations.

View Full Market Report

Long Island City

Long Island City sits directly across the East River from Midtown Manhattan, reachable in one stop on the 7 train. LIC has added more than 12,000 residential units since 2015, transforming former industrial blocks into a corridor of glass-tower condos, converted loft co-ops, and rental high-rises along the waterfront. Gantry Plaza State Park, MoMA PS1, and the Hunters Point Library anchor the neighborhood’s cultural identity. Median condo prices run roughly 30-40% below comparable Manhattan waterfront units, drawing both first-time buyers and investors looking for appreciation in one of the city’s highest-growth zip codes.

View Full Market Report

Transit Access

All Upper East Side

456

77 St (6) — 0.2 mi

86 St (4 5 6) — 0.4 mi

68 St-Hunter College (6) — 0.5 mi

Long Island City

7EGMNRW

Hunters Point Av (7) — 0.2 mi

Court Sq (7 E G M) — 0.2 mi

Long Island City (E G M R) — 0.6 mi

Queensboro Plaza (7 N W) — 0.6 mi

Active Listings

All Upper East Side for sale

View all All Upper East Side listings

Long Island City for sale

View all Long Island City 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 last updated: 1/1/1970.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is All Upper East Side cheaper than Long Island City?
Long Island City is more affordable, with a median sale price of $1,237,500 vs $1,332,500 in All Upper East Side. Pricing can vary widely by building, floor, and unit condition, so review current listings for accurate comparisons.
Which has better transit, All Upper East Side or Long Island City?
All Upper East Side has access to 3 subway lines and Long Island City has 7, making Long Island City the stronger option for transit access. All Upper East Side has 3 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, All Upper East Side or Long Island City?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. All Upper East Side and Long Island City 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 All Upper East Side or Long Island City?
The right neighborhood depends on your price range, commute needs, and preferred property type. A comparative market analysis (CMA) of recent sales in both All Upper East Side and Long Island City 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.

Call Milton WhatsApp