Milton Coste

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Chelsea vs Longwood

Longwood vs Chelsea: side-by-side market data, transit, and neighborhood profiles to help you decide.

Manhattan|Bronx

Chelsea

Manhattan

Longwood

Bronx

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Longwood has the lower median sale price at $1.2M vs $1.4M in Chelsea.

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 Longwood.

Median Sale Price
$1.4M
$1.2M
Median Rent
$6K
$3K
Active Listings
414
1
Avg Days on Market
64.5 days
64 days
YoY Price Change
+33.8%
+552.8%
Monthly Sales Volume
37
1

Detailed Comparison

MetricChelseaLongwood
Median Sale Price$1,385,000$1,175,000
Median Condo Price$2,370,000$270,000
Median Co-op Price$960,000$90,000
Median Rent$6,131$2,750
Active Listings4141
Rental Inventory8344
Days on Market64.564
Price Cut Share15.5%100.0%
Monthly Sales Volume371
YoY Price Change+33.8%+552.8%
YoY Rent Change+7.8%+72.4%
YoY Inventory Change-17.2%-66.7%
Subway Lines1 2 3 A B C D E F M N Q R WN/A

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Chelsea moved +33.8% over the past year, compared to +552.8% in Longwood. The +552.8% gain in Longwood reflects stronger buyer demand relative to available inventory in that market.

Neighborhood Profiles

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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Longwood

Longwood's Landmarks-designated Historic District preserves neo-Renaissance and Romanesque Revival rowhouses along Beck Street, Kelly Street, and East 156th Street, built between 1895 and 1910 by architect Warren C. Dickerson. The 2, 5, and 6 trains provide subway access along Southern Boulevard and nearby stations, with St. Mary's Park anchoring the neighborhood's southern edge.

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Transit Access

Chelsea

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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

Longwood

No subway data available

Active Listings

Chelsea for sale

View all Chelsea listings

Longwood for sale

View all Longwood 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.

Chelsea vs Longwood: 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. Chelsea and Longwood 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 Longwood 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)ChelseaLongwood
Median Sale Price$1,385,000$1,175,000
Median Rent$6,131/mo$2,750/mo
Year-over-Year Price Change+33.8%+552.8%
Average Days on Market64.5 days64 days
Distance to Nearest Subway0.59 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 Chelsea cheaper than Longwood?
Longwood is more affordable, with a median sale price of $1,175,000 vs $1,385,000 in Chelsea. Pricing can vary widely by building, floor, and unit condition, so review current listings for accurate comparisons.
Which has better transit, Chelsea or Longwood?
Chelsea has access to 14 subway lines and Longwood has 0, making Chelsea the stronger option for transit access. Longwood has 0 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, Chelsea or Longwood?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Chelsea and Longwood 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 Chelsea or Longwood?
The right neighborhood depends on your price range, commute needs, and preferred property type. A comparative market analysis (CMA) of recent sales in both Chelsea and Longwood 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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