Milton Coste

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

(917) 416-7433

NYC Neighborhood Comparison

All Upper West Side vs Long Island City

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

Manhattan|Queens

All Upper West Side

Manhattan

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 $1.2M in All Upper West Side.

Investors analyzing rental yield will find All Upper West Side 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 5 in All Upper West Side.

Median Sale Price
$1.2M
$1.2M
Median Rent
$5K
$5K
Active Listings
1081
252
Avg Days on Market
56 days
104.5 days
YoY Price Change
-10.9%
+38.6%
Monthly Sales Volume
131
8

Detailed Comparison

MetricAll Upper West SideLong Island City
Median Sale Price$1,247,356$1,237,500
Median Condo Price$1,790,968.5$1,124,830
Median Co-op Price$847,500N/A
Median Rent$4,750$4,500
Active Listings1081252
Rental Inventory1518942
Days on Market56104.5
Price Cut Share10.5%7.5%
Monthly Sales Volume1318
YoY Price Change-10.9%+38.6%
YoY Rent Change+5.6%+3.4%
YoY Inventory Change-12.5%+56.5%
Subway Lines1 2 3 B C7 E G M N R W

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in All Upper West Side moved -10.9% over the past year, compared to +38.6% in Long Island City. Long Island City is seeing price appreciation while All Upper West Side has softened, pointing to different supply-demand dynamics in each market.

Neighborhood Profiles

All Upper West Side

The Upper West Side runs between Central Park and Riverside Park from 59th to 110th Streets, including Lincoln Square, Manhattan Valley, and the blocks surrounding the American Museum of Natural History. The housing stock features grand prewar cooperative apartments, Beaux-Arts and Art Deco buildings, brownstone townhouses, and newer luxury condominiums along the waterfront. The 1/2/3 trains run along Broadway, and the B/C serve Central Park West.

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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

All 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

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

All Upper West Side for sale

View all All Upper West Side 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 All Upper West Side cheaper than Long Island City?
Long Island City is more affordable, with a median sale price of $1,237,500 vs $1,247,356 in All Upper West Side. Pricing can vary widely by building, floor, and unit condition, so review current listings for accurate comparisons.
Which has better transit, All Upper West Side or Long Island City?
All Upper West Side has access to 5 subway lines and Long Island City has 7, making Long Island City the stronger option for transit access. All Upper West Side has 5 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, All Upper West Side or Long Island City?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. All Upper West Side 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 All Upper West Side 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 All Upper West Side 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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