Milton Coste

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Jamaica Estates vs Roosevelt Island

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

Queens|Manhattan

Jamaica Estates

Queens

Roosevelt Island

Manhattan

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Roosevelt Island has the lower median sale price at $965K vs $1.1M in Jamaica Estates.

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

Median Sale Price
$1.1M
$965K
Median Rent
$2K
$4K
Active Listings
19
23
Avg Days on Market
67 days
42 days
YoY Price Change
-9.3%
0.0%
Monthly Sales Volume
5
6

Detailed Comparison

MetricJamaica EstatesRoosevelt Island
Median Sale Price$1,095,000$965,000
Median Condo PriceN/AN/A
Median Co-op Price$186,000$516,984
Median Rent$2,250$4,436
Active Listings1923
Rental Inventory2165
Days on Market6742
Price Cut Share21.1%8.0%
Monthly Sales Volume56
YoY Price Change-9.3%0.0%
YoY Rent Change-11.8%+0.8%
YoY Inventory Change+35.7%-37.8%
Subway LinesN/AN/A

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Jamaica Estates moved -9.3% over the past year, compared to 0.0% in Roosevelt Island. Both markets have seen price softening, with Jamaica Estates declining more sharply over the measured period.

Neighborhood Profiles

Jamaica Estates

Jamaica Estates is a residential Queens neighborhood of large Tudor, Colonial, and Mediterranean-style homes on winding tree-lined streets along the hills of the terminal moraine. The F train at Hillside Avenue and the LIRR at Jamaica station are accessible by bus. The Grand Central Parkway borders the neighborhood to the north, providing highway access to Manhattan and Long Island.

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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

Jamaica Estates

No subway data available

Roosevelt Island

No subway data available

Active Listings

Jamaica Estates for sale

View all Jamaica Estates 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.

Jamaica Estates 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. Jamaica Estates 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 Jamaica Estates 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)Jamaica EstatesRoosevelt Island
Median Sale Price$1,095,000$965,000
Median Rent$2,250/mo$4,436/mo
Year-over-Year Price Change-9.3%0.0%
Average Days on Market67 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 Jamaica Estates cheaper than Roosevelt Island?
Roosevelt Island is more affordable, with a median sale price of $965,000 vs $1,095,000 in Jamaica Estates. Pricing can vary widely by building, floor, and unit condition, so review current listings for accurate comparisons.
Which has better transit, Jamaica Estates or Roosevelt Island?
Transit data is not available for these neighborhoods. Check the MTA website for current service maps.
Which is better for families, Jamaica Estates or Roosevelt Island?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Jamaica Estates 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 Jamaica Estates 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 Jamaica Estates 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.

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.

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