Milton Coste

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Downtown Brooklyn vs Long Island City

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

Brooklyn|Queens

Downtown Brooklyn

Brooklyn

Long Island City

Queens

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Downtown Brooklyn has the lower median sale price at $830K vs $1.2M in Long Island City.

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

Commuters have more transit options in Downtown Brooklyn, which is served by 8 subway lines compared to 7 in Long Island City.

Median Sale Price
$830K
$1.2M
Median Rent
$5K
$5K
Active Listings
129
252
Avg Days on Market
46 days
104.5 days
YoY Price Change
-9.5%
+38.6%
Monthly Sales Volume
11
8

Detailed Comparison

MetricDowntown BrooklynLong Island City
Median Sale Price$830,000$1,237,500
Median Condo Price$1,395,000$1,124,830
Median Co-op Price$877,953N/A
Median Rent$4,780$4,500
Active Listings129252
Rental Inventory688942
Days on Market46104.5
Price Cut Share10.1%7.5%
Monthly Sales Volume118
YoY Price Change-9.5%+38.6%
YoY Rent Change+8.4%+3.4%
YoY Inventory Change+38.7%+56.5%
Subway Lines2 3 4 5 A C F R7 E G M N R W

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Downtown Brooklyn moved -9.5% over the past year, compared to +38.6% in Long Island City. Long Island City is seeing price appreciation while Downtown Brooklyn has softened, pointing to different supply-demand dynamics in each market.

Neighborhood Profiles

Downtown Brooklyn

Downtown Brooklyn features a mixture of historic brownstones and modern high-rise architecture. The area is built around major transit hubs, including LIRR access and multiple subway lines. Residents benefit from green space in Brooklyn Bridge Park and prominent local landmarks.

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Long Island City

Long Island City sits directly across the East River from Midtown Manhattan, reachable in one stop on the 7 train. LIC has added more than 12,000 residential units since 2015, transforming former industrial blocks into a corridor of glass-tower condos, converted loft co-ops, and rental high-rises along the waterfront. Gantry Plaza State Park, MoMA PS1, and the Hunters Point Library anchor the neighborhood’s cultural identity. Median condo prices run roughly 30-40% below comparable Manhattan waterfront units, drawing both first-time buyers and investors looking for appreciation in one of the city’s highest-growth zip codes.

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Transit Access

Downtown Brooklyn

2345ACFR

Court St (R) — 0.1 mi

Borough Hall (2 3 4 5) — 0.1 mi

Jay St-MetroTech (A C F R) — 0.2 mi

Clark St (2 3) — 0.3 mi

High St (A C) — 0.4 mi

Long Island City

7EGMNRW

Hunters Point Av (7) — 0.2 mi

Court Sq (7 E G M) — 0.2 mi

Long Island City (E G M R) — 0.6 mi

Queensboro Plaza (7 N W) — 0.6 mi

Active Listings

Downtown Brooklyn for sale

View all Downtown Brooklyn listings

Long Island City for sale

View all Long Island City 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 last updated: 1/1/1970.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Downtown Brooklyn cheaper than Long Island City?
Yes, Downtown Brooklyn has a lower median sale price at $830,000 compared to $1,237,500 in Long Island City 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, Downtown Brooklyn or Long Island City?
Downtown Brooklyn has access to 8 subway lines and Long Island City has 7, making Downtown Brooklyn the stronger option for transit access. Long Island City has 7 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, Downtown Brooklyn or Long Island City?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Downtown Brooklyn and Long Island City 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 Downtown Brooklyn or Long Island City?
The right neighborhood depends on your price range, commute needs, and preferred property type. A comparative market analysis (CMA) of recent sales in both Downtown Brooklyn and Long Island City 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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