Milton Coste

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Flatlands vs Roosevelt Island

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

Brooklyn|Manhattan

Flatlands

Brooklyn

Roosevelt Island

Manhattan

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Flatlands has the lower median sale price at $425K vs $965K in Roosevelt Island.

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

Median Sale Price
$425K
$965K
Median Rent
$2K
$4K
Active Listings
41
23
Avg Days on Market
0 days
42 days
YoY Price Change
-38.3%
0.0%
Monthly Sales Volume
6
6

Detailed Comparison

MetricFlatlandsRoosevelt Island
Median Sale Price$425,000$965,000
Median Condo PriceN/AN/A
Median Co-op PriceN/A$516,984
Median Rent$2,250$4,436
Active Listings4123
Rental Inventory865
Days on Market042
Price Cut Share14.6%8.0%
Monthly Sales Volume66
YoY Price Change-38.3%0.0%
YoY Rent Change-2.2%+0.8%
YoY Inventory Change+46.4%-37.8%
Subway LinesN/AN/A

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Flatlands moved -38.3% over the past year, compared to 0.0% in Roosevelt Island. Both markets have seen price softening, with Flatlands declining more sharply over the measured period.

Neighborhood Profiles

Flatlands

Flatlands is a southeastern Brooklyn neighborhood of single-family detached homes, two-family brick houses, and low-rise apartment buildings on a flat grid of residential streets. The B/Q trains at the Kings Highway and Avenue U stations serve the western portion, and local buses provide additional connections. Floyd Bennett Field, the city's first municipal airport and now a national recreation area, borders the southern edge.

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Roosevelt Island

Roosevelt Island is a unique and low-traffic residential community situated in the East River between Manhattan and Queens. Known for its car-free streets, abundant green space, and stunning skyline views, it offers a retreat from the city's bustle. The real estate market is primarily composed of modern high-rise cooperatives and condominiums that provide a high quality of life with easy access to Manhattan via the iconic tram or the F train.

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Transit Access

Flatlands

No subway data available

Roosevelt Island

No subway data available

Active Listings

Flatlands for sale

View all Flatlands listings

Roosevelt Island for sale

View all Roosevelt Island 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.

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

Roosevelt Island tracked the more resilient Manhattan price path with a 10% to 15% peak-to-trough decline, while Flatlands 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)FlatlandsRoosevelt Island
Median Sale Price$425,000$965,000
Median Rent$2,250/mo$4,436/mo
Year-over-Year Price Change-38.3%0.0%
Average Days on Market0 days42 days
Distance to Nearest SubwayN/AN/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 Flatlands cheaper than Roosevelt Island?
Yes, Flatlands has a lower median sale price at $425,000 compared to $965,000 in Roosevelt Island 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, Flatlands or Roosevelt Island?
Transit data is not available for these neighborhoods. Check the MTA website for current service maps.
Which is better for families, Flatlands or Roosevelt Island?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Flatlands and Roosevelt Island 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 Flatlands or Roosevelt Island?
The right neighborhood depends on your price range, commute needs, and preferred property type. A comparative market analysis (CMA) of recent sales in both Flatlands and Roosevelt Island 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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