Milton Coste

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

(917) 416-7433

NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Brooklyn Heights vs Upper West Side

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

Brooklyn|Manhattan

Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn

Upper West Side

Manhattan

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Brooklyn Heights has the lower median sale price at $1.1M vs $1.2M in Upper West Side.

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

Commuters have more transit options in Brooklyn Heights, which is served by 8 subway lines compared to 5 in Upper West Side.

Median Sale Price
$1.1M
$1.2M
Median Rent
$5K
$5K
Active Listings
84
1081
Avg Days on Market
31 days
56 days
YoY Price Change
-19.0%
-10.9%
Monthly Sales Volume
12
131

Detailed Comparison

MetricBrooklyn HeightsUpper West Side
Median Sale Price$1,099,500$1,247,356
Median Condo Price$2,700,000$1,790,968.5
Median Co-op Price$903,028$847,500
Median Rent$4,946$4,750
Active Listings841081
Rental Inventory1381518
Days on Market3156
Price Cut Share9.5%10.5%
Monthly Sales Volume12131
YoY Price Change-19.0%-10.9%
YoY Rent Change+5.2%+5.6%
YoY Inventory Change-33.9%-12.5%
Subway Lines2 3 4 5 A C F R1 2 3 B C

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Brooklyn Heights moved -19.0% over the past year, compared to -10.9% in Upper West Side. Both markets have seen price softening, with Brooklyn Heights declining more sharply over the measured period.

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.

View Full Market Report

Upper West Side

The Upper West Side (UWS) is celebrated for its cultural richness and architectural grandeur. Set between Central Park and Riverside Park, the neighborhood provides direct access to green space within the urban grid. Residents enjoy easy access to Lincoln Center, the American Museum of Natural History, and a popular culinary scene. The real estate landscape is famous for its historic brownstones and iconic 'white-glove' apartment buildings along Central Park West and Riverside Drive.

View Full Market Report

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

Upper West Side

123BC

86 St (1 B C) — 0.2 mi

79 St (1) — 0.3 mi

81 St-Museum of Natural History (B C) — 0.4 mi

96 St (1 2 3 B C) — 0.5 mi

72 St (1 2 3) — 0.7 mi

Active Listings

Brooklyn Heights for sale

View all Brooklyn Heights listings

Upper West Side for sale

View all Upper West Side 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 Upper West Side: 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 Upper West Side both tracked this broader NYC arc, with annual closing volume contracting sharply in 2009 and again in Q2 2020 before normalizing.

Upper West Side tracked the more resilient Manhattan price path with a 10% to 15% peak-to-trough decline, while Brooklyn Heights 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)Brooklyn HeightsUpper West Side
Median Sale Price$1,099,500$1,247,356
Median Rent$4,946/mo$4,750/mo
Year-over-Year Price Change-19.0%-10.9%
Average Days on Market31 days56 days
Distance to Nearest Subway0.10 mi0.15 mi

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 Upper West Side?
Yes, Brooklyn Heights has a lower median sale price at $1,099,500 compared to $1,247,356 in Upper West Side 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, Brooklyn Heights or Upper West Side?
Brooklyn Heights has access to 8 subway lines and Upper West Side has 5, making Brooklyn Heights the stronger option for transit access. Upper West Side has 5 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, Brooklyn Heights or Upper West Side?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Brooklyn Heights and Upper West Side 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 Upper West Side?
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 Upper West Side 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 Milton WhatsApp