Milton Coste

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Brooklyn Heights vs Hillcrest

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

Brooklyn|Queens

Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn

Hillcrest

Queens

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Hillcrest has the lower median sale price at $1.2M vs $1.5M in Brooklyn Heights.

Commuters have more transit options in Brooklyn Heights, which is served by 8 subway lines compared to 0 in Hillcrest.

Median Sale Price
$1.5M
$1.2M
Median Rent
$5K
$4K
Active Listings
104
15
Avg Days on Market
28 days
118.5 days
YoY Price Change
N/A
+18.1%
Monthly Sales Volume
19
6

Detailed Comparison

MetricBrooklyn HeightsHillcrest
Median Sale Price$1,500,000$1,180,000
Median Condo Price$4,015,000$588,000
Median Co-op Price$1,150,000N/A
Median Rent$4,995$4,000
Active Listings10415
Rental Inventory1211
Days on Market28118.5
Price Cut Share7.7%6.7%
Monthly Sales Volume196
YoY Price ChangeN/A+18.1%
YoY Rent Change+8.6%+66.7%
YoY Inventory Change-4.6%+400.0%
Subway Lines2 3 4 5 A C F RN/A

Neighborhood Profiles

Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn Heights is New York City’s first historic district, famous for its grand architecture and the iconic Brooklyn Heights Promenade. Offering some of the most breathtaking views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, the neighborhood exudes a low-traffic, old-world elegance. The real estate market is characterized by magnificent pre-war townhouses, sought-after cooperatives, and a select few ultra-luxury waterfront developments along Brooklyn Bridge Park.

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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

Brooklyn Heights

2345ACFR

Clark St (2 3) — 0.1 mi

Court St (R) — 0.2 mi

High St (A C) — 0.3 mi

Borough Hall (2 3 4 5) — 0.3 mi

Jay St-MetroTech (A C F R) — 0.4 mi

Hillcrest

No subway data available

Active Listings

Brooklyn Heights for sale

View all Brooklyn Heights 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.

Brooklyn Heights 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. Brooklyn Heights 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 Brooklyn Heights 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)Brooklyn HeightsHillcrest
Median Sale Price$1,500,000$1,180,000
Median Rent$4,995/mo$4,000/mo
Year-over-Year Price ChangeN/A+18.1%
Average Days on Market28 days118.5 days
Distance to Nearest Subway0.10 miN/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 Brooklyn Heights cheaper than Hillcrest?
Hillcrest is more affordable, with a median sale price of $1,180,000 vs $1,500,000 in Brooklyn Heights. Pricing can vary widely by building, floor, and unit condition, so review current listings for accurate comparisons.
Which has better transit, Brooklyn Heights or Hillcrest?
Brooklyn Heights has access to 8 subway lines and Hillcrest has 0, making Brooklyn Heights the stronger option for transit access. Hillcrest has 0 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, Brooklyn Heights or Hillcrest?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Brooklyn Heights 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 Brooklyn Heights 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 Brooklyn Heights 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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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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