Milton Coste

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Central Park South vs Hamilton Heights

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

Manhattan|Manhattan

Central Park South

Manhattan

Hamilton Heights

Manhattan

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Hamilton Heights has the lower median sale price at $645K vs $1.1M in Central Park South.

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

Commuters have more transit options in Central Park South, which is served by 15 subway lines compared to 5 in Hamilton Heights.

Median Sale Price
$1.1M
$645K
Median Rent
$12K
$3K
Active Listings
74
83
Avg Days on Market
80.5 days
76.5 days
YoY Price Change
-57.9%
+20.7%
Monthly Sales Volume
2
7

Detailed Comparison

MetricCentral Park SouthHamilton Heights
Median Sale Price$1,072,500$645,000
Median Condo PriceN/A$532,500
Median Co-op Price$1,900,000$400,000
Median Rent$12,000$3,000
Active Listings7483
Rental Inventory50235
Days on Market80.576.5
Price Cut Share17.6%7.2%
Monthly Sales Volume27
YoY Price Change-57.9%+20.7%
YoY Rent Change+50.1%+7.1%
YoY Inventory Change+12.1%+22.1%
Subway Lines1 4 5 6 A B C D E F M N Q R W1 A B C D

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Central Park South moved -57.9% over the past year, compared to +20.7% in Hamilton Heights. Hamilton Heights is seeing price appreciation while Central Park South has softened, pointing to different supply-demand dynamics in each market.

Neighborhood Profiles

Central Park South

Central Park South is one of the most recognized and sought-after residential stretches in the world. Often associated with 'Billionaires' Row,' the neighborhood offers unparalleled, unobstructed views of Central Park. The real estate market is a mix of legendary pre-war cooperatives, historic hotels-turned-residences, and soaring ultra-luxury glass towers that provide the pinnacle of New York City living and white-glove service.

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Hamilton Heights

Hamilton Heights is a historic and architecturally stunning section of Harlem, named after Alexander Hamilton. The neighborhood is famous for its grand row houses and the beautiful campus of City College. Residents enjoy proximity to Riverbank State Park and a growing number of cafes and restaurants. The real estate market features a mix of impeccably preserved historic townhouses, value-driven HDFC cooperatives, and modern boutique developments.

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Transit Access

Central Park South

1456ABCDEFMNQRW

57 St (F N Q R W) — 0.1 mi

59 St-Columbus Circle (1 A B C D) — 0.3 mi

5 Av/53 St (E M) — 0.4 mi

66 St-Lincoln Center (1) — 0.6 mi

59 St (4 5 6) — 0.7 mi

Hamilton Heights

1ABCD

145 St (1 A B C D) — 0.2 mi

125 St (1) — 0.7 mi

Active Listings

Central Park South for sale

View all Central Park South listings

Hamilton Heights for sale

View all Hamilton Heights 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.

Central Park South vs Hamilton Heights: 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. Central Park South and Hamilton Heights both tracked this broader NYC arc, with annual closing volume contracting sharply in 2009 and again in Q2 2020 before normalizing.

Manhattan core neighborhoods such as Central Park South and Hamilton Heights showed shallower price drawdowns than the metro composite. Co-op resale prices in established Manhattan submarkets typically retraced 10% to 15% from 2008 peaks, versus the wider 25% NYC metro decline, reflecting deeper buyer pools and tighter post-2010 inventory.

Source: Per Case-Shiller Home Price Index, NYC metro subset, 2008-2020, cross-referenced with StreetEasy historical price data series.

Metric (2026)Central Park SouthHamilton Heights
Median Sale Price$1,072,500$645,000
Median Rent$12,000/mo$3,000/mo
Year-over-Year Price Change-57.9%+20.7%
Average Days on Market80.5 days76.5 days
Distance to Nearest Subway0.06 mi0.20 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 Central Park South cheaper than Hamilton Heights?
Hamilton Heights is more affordable, with a median sale price of $645,000 vs $1,072,500 in Central Park South. Pricing can vary widely by building, floor, and unit condition, so review current listings for accurate comparisons.
Which has better transit, Central Park South or Hamilton Heights?
Central Park South has access to 15 subway lines and Hamilton Heights has 5, making Central Park South the stronger option for transit access. Hamilton Heights has 5 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, Central Park South or Hamilton Heights?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Central Park South and Hamilton Heights 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 Central Park South or Hamilton Heights?
The right neighborhood depends on your price range, commute needs, and preferred property type. A comparative market analysis (CMA) of recent sales in both Central Park South and Hamilton Heights 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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