Milton Coste

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Long Island City vs Melrose

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

Queens|Bronx

Long Island City

Queens

Melrose

Bronx

How They Compare

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

Median Sale Price
$1.2M
$0
Median Rent
$5K
$2K
Active Listings
252
4
Avg Days on Market
104.5 days
0 days
YoY Price Change
+38.6%
0.0%
Monthly Sales Volume
8
1

Detailed Comparison

MetricLong Island CityMelrose
Median Sale Price$1,237,500$0
Median Condo Price$1,124,830N/A
Median Co-op PriceN/AN/A
Median Rent$4,500$2,322.5
Active Listings2524
Rental Inventory9428
Days on Market104.50
Price Cut Share7.5%0.0%
Monthly Sales Volume81
YoY Price Change+38.6%0.0%
YoY Rent Change+3.4%0.0%
YoY Inventory Change+56.5%0.0%
Subway Lines7 E G M N R WN/A

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Long Island City moved +38.6% over the past year, compared to 0.0% in Melrose. The +38.6% gain in Long Island City reflects stronger buyer demand relative to available inventory in that market.

Neighborhood Profiles

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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Melrose

Melrose features 19th-century brownstones, neo-Renaissance apartment houses, and modern LEED-certified developments like Via Verde, all anchored by the commercial corridors along Third Avenue and Melrose Avenue. The 2 and 5 trains stop at East 149th Street, the 4 train serves nearby stations, and St. Mary's Park provides 35 acres of green space on the neighborhood's edge.

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Transit Access

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

Melrose

No subway data available

Active Listings

Long Island City for sale

View all Long Island City listings

Melrose for sale

View all Melrose 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 Long Island City cheaper than Melrose?
Median sale price data is not yet available for one or both neighborhoods. Contact Milton for a current market analysis.
Which has better transit, Long Island City or Melrose?
Long Island City has access to 7 subway lines and Melrose has 0, making Long Island City the stronger option for transit access. Melrose has 0 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, Long Island City or Melrose?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Long Island City and Melrose 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 Long Island City or Melrose?
The right neighborhood depends on your price range, commute needs, and preferred property type. A comparative market analysis (CMA) of recent sales in both Long Island City and Melrose 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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