Milton Coste

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Hamilton Heights vs Roosevelt Island

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

Manhattan|Manhattan

Hamilton Heights

Manhattan

Roosevelt Island

Manhattan

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Hamilton Heights has the lower median sale price at $645K vs $965K in Roosevelt Island.

Commuters have more transit options in Hamilton Heights, which is served by 5 subway lines compared to 0 in Roosevelt Island.

Median Sale Price
$645K
$965K
Median Rent
$3K
$4K
Active Listings
83
23
Avg Days on Market
76.5 days
42 days
YoY Price Change
+20.7%
0.0%
Monthly Sales Volume
7
6

Detailed Comparison

MetricHamilton HeightsRoosevelt Island
Median Sale Price$645,000$965,000
Median Condo Price$532,500N/A
Median Co-op Price$400,000$516,984
Median Rent$3,000$4,436
Active Listings8323
Rental Inventory23565
Days on Market76.542
Price Cut Share7.2%8.0%
Monthly Sales Volume76
YoY Price Change+20.7%0.0%
YoY Rent Change+7.1%+0.8%
YoY Inventory Change+22.1%-37.8%
Subway Lines1 A B C DN/A

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Hamilton Heights moved +20.7% over the past year, compared to 0.0% in Roosevelt Island. The +20.7% gain in Hamilton Heights reflects stronger buyer demand relative to available inventory in that market.

Neighborhood Profiles

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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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

Hamilton Heights

1ABCD

145 St (1 A B C D) — 0.2 mi

125 St (1) — 0.7 mi

Roosevelt Island

No subway data available

Active Listings

Hamilton Heights for sale

View all Hamilton Heights 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.

Hamilton Heights 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. Hamilton Heights and Roosevelt Island 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 Hamilton Heights and Roosevelt Island 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)Hamilton HeightsRoosevelt Island
Median Sale Price$645,000$965,000
Median Rent$3,000/mo$4,436/mo
Year-over-Year Price Change+20.7%0.0%
Average Days on Market76.5 days42 days
Distance to Nearest Subway0.20 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 Hamilton Heights cheaper than Roosevelt Island?
Yes, Hamilton Heights has a lower median sale price at $645,000 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, Hamilton Heights or Roosevelt Island?
Hamilton Heights has access to 5 subway lines and Roosevelt Island has 0, making Hamilton Heights the stronger option for transit access. Roosevelt Island has 0 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, Hamilton Heights or Roosevelt Island?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Hamilton Heights 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 Hamilton Heights 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 Hamilton Heights 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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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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