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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Hamilton Heights vs Washington Heights

Washington Heights vs Hamilton Heights: side-by-side market data, transit, and neighborhood profiles to help you decide.

Manhattan|Manhattan

Hamilton Heights

Manhattan

Washington Heights

Manhattan

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Hamilton Heights has the lower median sale price at $445K vs $450K in Washington Heights.

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

Commuters have more transit options in Hamilton Heights, which is served by 5 subway lines compared to 3 in Washington Heights.

Median Sale Price
$445K
$450K
Median Rent
$3K
$3K
Active Listings
103
225
Avg Days on Market
25.5 days
64.5 days
YoY Price Change
+17.1%
-16.7%
Monthly Sales Volume
5
16

Detailed Comparison

MetricHamilton HeightsWashington Heights
Median Sale Price$445,000$450,000
Median Condo Price$625,000$625,000
Median Co-op Price$325,000$450,000
Median Rent$3,250$3,000
Active Listings103225
Rental Inventory207416
Days on Market25.564.5
Price Cut Share11.7%17.3%
Monthly Sales Volume516
YoY Price Change+17.1%-16.7%
YoY Rent Change+4.8%+1.7%
YoY Inventory Change+5.1%+5.6%
Subway Lines1 A B C D1 A C

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Hamilton Heights moved +17.1% over the past year, compared to -16.7% in Washington Heights. Hamilton Heights is seeing price appreciation while Washington Heights has softened, pointing to different supply-demand dynamics in each 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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Washington Heights

Washington Heights is a well-connected neighborhood known for its dramatic topography and stunning views of the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge. Home to the Cloisters and Fort Tryon Park, the area offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty. The real estate market is characterized by large, pre-war cooperatives that offer significant space for the price, making it a popular choice for those seeking value and community.

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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

Washington Heights

1AC

181 St (1 A) — 0.4 mi

175 St (A) — 0.4 mi

168 St (1 A C) — 0.5 mi

163 St-Amsterdam Av (C) — 0.7 mi

Active Listings

Hamilton Heights for sale

View all Hamilton Heights listings

Washington Heights for sale

View all Washington 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.

Hamilton Heights vs Washington 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. Hamilton Heights and Washington 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 Hamilton Heights and Washington 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)Hamilton HeightsWashington Heights
Median Sale Price$445,000$450,000
Median Rent$3,250/mo$3,000/mo
Year-over-Year Price Change+17.1%-16.7%
Average Days on Market25.5 days64.5 days
Distance to Nearest Subway0.20 mi0.36 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 Hamilton Heights cheaper than Washington Heights?
Yes, Hamilton Heights has a lower median sale price at $445,000 compared to $450,000 in Washington Heights 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 Washington Heights?
Hamilton Heights has access to 5 subway lines and Washington Heights has 3, making Hamilton Heights the stronger option for transit access. Washington Heights has 3 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, Hamilton Heights or Washington Heights?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Hamilton Heights and Washington 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 Hamilton Heights or Washington 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 Hamilton Heights and Washington 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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