Milton Coste

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Forest Hills vs Long Island City

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

Queens|Queens

Forest Hills

Queens

Long Island City

Queens

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Forest Hills has the lower median sale price at $615K vs $1.2M in Long Island City.

Investors analyzing rental yield will find Forest Hills 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 Forest Hills.

Median Sale Price
$615K
$1.2M
Median Rent
$3K
$5K
Active Listings
348
252
Avg Days on Market
69.5 days
104.5 days
YoY Price Change
+57.9%
+38.6%
Monthly Sales Volume
47
8

Detailed Comparison

MetricForest HillsLong Island City
Median Sale Price$615,000$1,237,500
Median Condo Price$814,600$1,124,830
Median Co-op Price$400,000N/A
Median Rent$2,977.5$4,500
Active Listings348252
Rental Inventory228942
Days on Market69.5104.5
Price Cut Share12.4%7.5%
Monthly Sales Volume478
YoY Price Change+57.9%+38.6%
YoY Rent Change+14.5%+3.4%
YoY Inventory Change+15.6%+56.5%
Subway LinesN/A7 E G M N R W

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Forest Hills moved +57.9% over the past year, compared to +38.6% in Long Island City. The +57.9% gain in Forest Hills reflects stronger buyer demand relative to available inventory in that market.

Neighborhood Profiles

Forest Hills

Forest Hills is a sought-after and architecturally distinctive Queens neighborhood known for its lush greenery and exceptional architecture. The area is famous for Forest Hills Gardens, a private community featuring stunning Tudor-style homes and winding streets. The broader neighborhood offers a mix of grand pre-war cooperatives, modern luxury condominiums, and the popular shopping and dining destination of Austin Street, providing a suburban feel within the city limits.

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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

Forest Hills

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

Forest Hills for sale

View all Forest Hills 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 Forest Hills cheaper than Long Island City?
Yes, Forest Hills has a lower median sale price at $615,000 compared to $1,237,500 in Long Island City 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, Forest Hills or Long Island City?
Forest Hills has access to 0 subway lines and Long Island City has 7, making Long Island City the stronger option for transit access. Forest Hills has 0 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, Forest Hills or Long Island City?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Forest Hills 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 Forest Hills 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 Forest Hills 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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