Milton Coste

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Kensington vs Midtown

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

Brooklyn|Manhattan

Kensington

Brooklyn

Midtown

Manhattan

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Kensington has the lower median sale price at $1.6M vs $2.1M in Midtown.

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

Commuters have more transit options in Midtown, which is served by 19 subway lines compared to 0 in Kensington.

Median Sale Price
$1.6M
$2.1M
Median Rent
$3K
$6K
Active Listings
89
369
Avg Days on Market
59 days
96 days
YoY Price Change
+198.1%
+19.7%
Monthly Sales Volume
4
22

Detailed Comparison

MetricKensingtonMidtown
Median Sale Price$1,550,000$2,095,000
Median Condo Price$537,104.5$2,187,500
Median Co-op Price$400,000$834,500
Median Rent$2,825$6,000
Active Listings89369
Rental Inventory78409
Days on Market5996
Price Cut Share5.6%7.0%
Monthly Sales Volume422
YoY Price Change+198.1%+19.7%
YoY Rent Change+8.7%+21.2%
YoY Inventory Change+25.4%+10.5%
Subway LinesN/A1 2 3 4 5 6 7 A B C D E F M N Q R S W

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Kensington moved +198.1% over the past year, compared to +19.7% in Midtown. 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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Midtown

Midtown Manhattan is the city's primary commercial and transit hub, home to Grand Central Terminal, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, and the Empire State Building. The residential market features luxury condo towers, classic pre-war cooperatives, and postwar doorman buildings served by nearly every subway line in the system. Properties range from high-floor units with skyline panoramas to well-maintained co-ops along the tree-lined side streets east and west of Fifth Avenue.

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Transit Access

Kensington

No subway data available

Midtown

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Times Sq-42 St (1 2 3 7 N Q R S W) — 0.2 mi

42 St-Port Authority (A C E) — 0.4 mi

Grand Central-42 St (4 5 6 7 S) — 0.4 mi

34 St-Herald Sq (B D F M N Q R W) — 0.4 mi

34 St-Penn Station (1 2 3 A C E) — 0.5 mi

Active Listings

Kensington for sale

View all Kensington listings

Midtown for sale

View all Midtown 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 Midtown?
Yes, Kensington has a lower median sale price at $1,550,000 compared to $2,095,000 in Midtown 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, Kensington or Midtown?
Kensington has access to 0 subway lines and Midtown has 19, making Midtown 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 Midtown?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Kensington and Midtown 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 Midtown?
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 Midtown 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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