Milton Coste

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Kensington vs Long Island City

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

Brooklyn|Queens

Kensington

Brooklyn

Long Island City

Queens

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Long Island City has the lower median sale price at $1.2M vs $1.6M in Kensington.

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

Commuters have more transit options in Long Island City, which is served by 7 subway lines compared to 0 in Kensington.

Median Sale Price
$1.6M
$1.2M
Median Rent
$3K
$5K
Active Listings
89
252
Avg Days on Market
59 days
104.5 days
YoY Price Change
+198.1%
+38.6%
Monthly Sales Volume
4
8

Detailed Comparison

MetricKensingtonLong Island City
Median Sale Price$1,550,000$1,237,500
Median Condo Price$537,104.5$1,124,830
Median Co-op Price$400,000N/A
Median Rent$2,825$4,500
Active Listings89252
Rental Inventory78942
Days on Market59104.5
Price Cut Share5.6%7.5%
Monthly Sales Volume48
YoY Price Change+198.1%+38.6%
YoY Rent Change+8.7%+3.4%
YoY Inventory Change+25.4%+56.5%
Subway LinesN/A7 E G M N R W

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Kensington moved +198.1% over the past year, compared to +38.6% in Long Island City. The +198.1% gain in Kensington reflects stronger buyer demand relative to available inventory in that market.

Neighborhood Profiles

Kensington

Kensington is a residential Brooklyn neighborhood bordered by Prospect Park to the north and the landmarked Green-Wood Cemetery to the west, with Ocean Parkway running through its center as one of the borough's signature tree-lined boulevards. The housing stock includes brick rowhouses, prewar co-op apartment buildings along Ocean Parkway and Coney Island Avenue, and detached Victorian homes on the side streets, served by the F and G trains at Fort Hamilton Parkway and Church Avenue. The B and Q express trains are accessible within a short walk, providing a 30-to-35-minute commute to Midtown Manhattan.

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Long Island City

Long Island City sits directly across the East River from Midtown Manhattan, reachable in one stop on the 7 train. LIC has added more than 12,000 residential units since 2015, transforming former industrial blocks into a corridor of glass-tower condos, converted loft co-ops, and rental high-rises along the waterfront. Gantry Plaza State Park, MoMA PS1, and the Hunters Point Library anchor the neighborhood’s cultural identity. Median condo prices run roughly 30-40% below comparable Manhattan waterfront units, drawing both first-time buyers and investors looking for appreciation in one of the city’s highest-growth zip codes.

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Transit Access

Kensington

No subway data available

Long Island City

7EGMNRW

Hunters Point Av (7) — 0.2 mi

Court Sq (7 E G M) — 0.2 mi

Long Island City (E G M R) — 0.6 mi

Queensboro Plaza (7 N W) — 0.6 mi

Active Listings

Kensington for sale

View all Kensington listings

Long Island City for sale

View all Long Island City 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 Kensington cheaper than Long Island City?
Long Island City is more affordable, with a median sale price of $1,237,500 vs $1,550,000 in Kensington. Pricing can vary widely by building, floor, and unit condition, so review current listings for accurate comparisons.
Which has better transit, Kensington or Long Island City?
Kensington has access to 0 subway lines and Long Island City has 7, making Long Island City the stronger option for transit access. Kensington has 0 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, Kensington or Long Island City?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Kensington and Long Island City 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 Kensington or Long Island City?
The right neighborhood depends on your price range, commute needs, and preferred property type. A comparative market analysis (CMA) of recent sales in both Kensington and Long Island City 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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