Milton Coste

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Carroll Gardens vs Chelsea

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

Brooklyn|Manhattan

Carroll Gardens

Brooklyn

Chelsea

Manhattan

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Chelsea has the lower median sale price at $1.3M vs $2.8M in Carroll Gardens.

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

Commuters have more transit options in Chelsea, which is served by 14 subway lines compared to 0 in Carroll Gardens.

Median Sale Price
$2.8M
$1.3M
Median Rent
$5K
$6K
Active Listings
39
366
Avg Days on Market
31.5 days
60.5 days
YoY Price Change
+28.8%
-19.4%
Monthly Sales Volume
8
39

Detailed Comparison

MetricCarroll GardensChelsea
Median Sale Price$2,775,000$1,250,000
Median Condo Price$2,064,000$3,052,500
Median Co-op PriceN/A$830,000
Median Rent$4,997.5$5,975
Active Listings39366
Rental Inventory112721
Days on Market31.560.5
Price Cut Share5.1%12.8%
Monthly Sales Volume839
YoY Price Change+28.8%-19.4%
YoY Rent Change+11.1%+7.7%
YoY Inventory Change-4.9%-12.9%
Subway LinesN/A1 2 3 A B C D E F M N Q R W

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Carroll Gardens moved +28.8% over the past year, compared to -19.4% in Chelsea. Carroll Gardens is seeing price appreciation while Chelsea has softened, pointing to different supply-demand dynamics in each market.

Neighborhood Profiles

Carroll Gardens

Carroll Gardens is defined by its deep front gardens and long-standing bakeries and restaurants along Court and Smith Streets. The real estate market features wide historic brownstones alongside new construction condominiums that maintain the low-rise building scale.

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Chelsea

Chelsea is the epicenter of New York’s contemporary art world and a hub for innovative architecture. Home to the High Line and Chelsea Market, the neighborhood mixes industrial history with modern luxury. The real estate market here is dominated by high-end condominium developments designed by world-renowned architects, alongside historic pre-war lofts and historic townhouses in the Chelsea Historic District.

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Transit Access

Carroll Gardens

No subway data available

Chelsea

123ABCDEFMNQRW

34 St-Penn Station (1 2 3 A C E) — 0.6 mi

34 St-Herald Sq (B D F M N Q R W) — 0.7 mi

Active Listings

Carroll Gardens for sale

View all Carroll Gardens listings

Chelsea for sale

View all Chelsea 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.

Carroll Gardens vs Chelsea: 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. Carroll Gardens and Chelsea both tracked this broader NYC arc, with annual closing volume contracting sharply in 2009 and again in Q2 2020 before normalizing.

Chelsea tracked the more resilient Manhattan price path with a 10% to 15% peak-to-trough decline, while Carroll Gardens 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)Carroll GardensChelsea
Median Sale Price$2,775,000$1,250,000
Median Rent$4,997.5/mo$5,975/mo
Year-over-Year Price Change+28.8%-19.4%
Average Days on Market31.5 days60.5 days
Distance to Nearest SubwayN/A0.59 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 Carroll Gardens cheaper than Chelsea?
Chelsea is more affordable, with a median sale price of $1,250,000 vs $2,775,000 in Carroll Gardens. Pricing can vary widely by building, floor, and unit condition, so review current listings for accurate comparisons.
Which has better transit, Carroll Gardens or Chelsea?
Carroll Gardens has access to 0 subway lines and Chelsea has 14, making Chelsea the stronger option for transit access. Carroll Gardens has 0 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, Carroll Gardens or Chelsea?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Carroll Gardens and Chelsea 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 Carroll Gardens or Chelsea?
The right neighborhood depends on your price range, commute needs, and preferred property type. A comparative market analysis (CMA) of recent sales in both Carroll Gardens and Chelsea 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.

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