Milton Coste

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

(917) 416-7433

NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Howard Beach vs Riverdale

Riverdale vs Howard Beach: side-by-side market data, transit, and neighborhood profiles to help you decide.

Queens|Bronx

Howard Beach

Queens

Riverdale

Bronx

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Riverdale has the lower median sale price at $375K vs $770K in Howard Beach.

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

Median Sale Price
$770K
$375K
Median Rent
$2K
$3K
Active Listings
52
356
Avg Days on Market
68 days
109.5 days
YoY Price Change
N/A
+5.6%
Monthly Sales Volume
12
27

Detailed Comparison

MetricHoward BeachRiverdale
Median Sale Price$769,999$375,000
Median Condo Price$449,000$375,000
Median Co-op Price$230,000$270,000
Median Rent$1,650$3,275
Active Listings52356
Rental Inventory1138
Days on Market68109.5
Price Cut Share3.8%7.6%
Monthly Sales Volume1227
YoY Price ChangeN/A+5.6%
YoY Rent Change-34.0%+5.6%
YoY Inventory Change-22.4%-0.8%
Subway LinesN/AN/A

Neighborhood Profiles

Howard Beach

Howard Beach is a waterfront Queens neighborhood of single-family brick homes and two-family detached houses on a peninsula between Jamaica Bay and the Belt Parkway. The A train at Howard Beach-JFK Airport station provides subway service, and the AirTrain JFK connects directly to all airport terminals. Charles Memorial Park and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge offer waterfront recreation.

View Full Market Report

Riverdale

Riverdale is structured by historic brick rowhouses and multi-story apartment complexes. The neighborhood is connected by several subway lines, providing easy transit access. Key natural features include large local parks, while established commercial avenues serve as important landmarks.

View Full Market Report

Transit Access

Howard Beach

No subway data available

Riverdale

No subway data available

Active Listings

Howard Beach for sale

View all Howard Beach listings

Riverdale for sale

View all Riverdale 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.

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

Outer-borough submarkets including Howard Beach and Riverdale generally tracked the broader NYC metro pattern of a 20% to 25% peak-to-trough decline before fully recovering by 2017 and posting further gains through early 2020.

Source: Per Case-Shiller Home Price Index, NYC metro subset, 2008-2020, cross-referenced with StreetEasy historical price data series.

Metric (2026)Howard BeachRiverdale
Median Sale Price$769,999$375,000
Median Rent$1,650/mo$3,275/mo
Year-over-Year Price ChangeN/A+5.6%
Average Days on Market68 days109.5 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 Howard Beach cheaper than Riverdale?
Riverdale is more affordable, with a median sale price of $375,000 vs $769,999 in Howard Beach. Pricing can vary widely by building, floor, and unit condition, so review current listings for accurate comparisons.
Which has better transit, Howard Beach or Riverdale?
Transit data is not available for these neighborhoods. Check the MTA website for current service maps.
Which is better for families, Howard Beach or Riverdale?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Howard Beach and Riverdale 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 Howard Beach or Riverdale?
The right neighborhood depends on your price range, commute needs, and preferred property type. A comparative market analysis (CMA) of recent sales in both Howard Beach and Riverdale 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.

More Comparisons

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:

Call Text Valuation