Milton Coste

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Howard Beach vs Upper West Side

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

Queens|Manhattan

Howard Beach

Queens

Upper West Side

Manhattan

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Howard Beach has the lower median sale price at $355K vs $1.2M in Upper West Side.

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

Commuters have more transit options in Upper West Side, which is served by 5 subway lines compared to 0 in Howard Beach.

Median Sale Price
$355K
$1.2M
Median Rent
$3K
$5K
Active Listings
55
1081
Avg Days on Market
107.5 days
56 days
YoY Price Change
-29.3%
-10.9%
Monthly Sales Volume
15
131

Detailed Comparison

MetricHoward BeachUpper West Side
Median Sale Price$355,000$1,247,356
Median Condo PriceN/A$1,790,968.5
Median Co-op Price$235,000$847,500
Median Rent$2,550$4,750
Active Listings551081
Rental Inventory21518
Days on Market107.556
Price Cut Share12.7%10.5%
Monthly Sales Volume15131
YoY Price Change-29.3%-10.9%
YoY Rent Change+15.9%+5.6%
YoY Inventory Change+37.5%-12.5%
Subway LinesN/A1 2 3 B C

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Howard Beach moved -29.3% over the past year, compared to -10.9% in Upper West Side. Both markets have seen price softening, with Howard Beach declining more sharply over the measured period.

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.

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Upper West Side

The Upper West Side (UWS) is celebrated for its cultural richness and architectural grandeur. Set between Central Park and Riverside Park, the neighborhood provides direct access to green space within the urban grid. Residents enjoy easy access to Lincoln Center, the American Museum of Natural History, and a popular culinary scene. The real estate landscape is famous for its historic brownstones and iconic 'white-glove' apartment buildings along Central Park West and Riverside Drive.

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Transit Access

Howard Beach

No subway data available

Upper West Side

123BC

86 St (1 B C) — 0.2 mi

79 St (1) — 0.3 mi

81 St-Museum of Natural History (B C) — 0.4 mi

96 St (1 2 3 B C) — 0.5 mi

72 St (1 2 3) — 0.7 mi

Active Listings

Howard Beach for sale

View all Howard Beach listings

Upper West Side for sale

View all Upper West Side 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 Howard Beach cheaper than Upper West Side?
Yes, Howard Beach has a lower median sale price at $355,000 compared to $1,247,356 in Upper West Side 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, Howard Beach or Upper West Side?
Howard Beach has access to 0 subway lines and Upper West Side has 5, making Upper West Side the stronger option for transit access. Howard Beach has 0 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, Howard Beach or Upper West Side?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Howard Beach and Upper West Side 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 Upper West Side?
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 Upper West Side 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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