Milton Coste

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Melrose vs Midtown East

Midtown East vs Melrose: side-by-side market data, transit, and neighborhood profiles to help you decide.

Bronx|Manhattan

Melrose

Bronx

Midtown East

Manhattan

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Midtown East has the lower median sale price at $875K vs $999K in Melrose.

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

Commuters have more transit options in Midtown East, which is served by 7 subway lines compared to 0 in Melrose.

Median Sale Price
$999K
$875K
Median Rent
$2K
$5K
Active Listings
5
1286
Avg Days on Market
86 days
79 days
YoY Price Change
+8.6%
-12.4%
Monthly Sales Volume
1
110

Detailed Comparison

MetricMelroseMidtown East
Median Sale Price$999,000$875,000
Median Condo Price$285,000$1,265,000
Median Co-op Price$40,000$750,000
Median Rent$2,250$5,095
Active Listings51286
Rental Inventory141935
Days on Market8679
Price Cut Share20.0%14.0%
Monthly Sales Volume1110
YoY Price Change+8.6%-12.4%
YoY Rent Change-4.3%+4.1%
YoY Inventory Change-16.7%-4.7%
Subway LinesN/A4 5 6 7 E M S

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Melrose moved +8.6% over the past year, compared to -12.4% in Midtown East. Melrose is seeing price appreciation while Midtown East has softened, pointing to different supply-demand dynamics in each market.

Neighborhood Profiles

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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Midtown East

Midtown East is a dynamic hub that is the gateway to Manhattan for many. Home to iconic landmarks like Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building, the neighborhood offers unparalleled convenience for commuters and professionals. The residential landscape is a mix of high-rise luxury towers and historic side-street cooperatives, providing a wide array of options for those who want to be at the center of the city's energy.

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Transit Access

Melrose

No subway data available

Midtown East

4567EMS

Grand Central-42 St (4 5 6 7 S) — 0.3 mi

51 St (6) — 0.3 mi

Lexington Av/53 St (E M) — 0.4 mi

5 Av/53 St (E M) — 0.5 mi

59 St (4 5 6) — 0.7 mi

Active Listings

Melrose for sale

View all Melrose listings

Midtown East for sale

View all Midtown East 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 is refreshed every 15 minutes per REBNY IDX requirements.

Melrose vs Midtown East: Home Price Resilience 2008-2020

From the 2008 financial crisis through the 2020 pandemic, the NYC metro Case-Shiller composite fell about 25% peak-to-trough between 2007 and 2012, then fully recovered by 2017 and gained another 15% through Q1 2020. Melrose and Midtown East both tracked this broader NYC arc, with annual closing volume contracting sharply in 2009 and again in Q2 2020 before normalizing.

Midtown East tracked the more resilient Manhattan price path with a 10% to 15% peak-to-trough decline, while Melrose moved closer to the broader NYC metro pattern of a 20% to 25% retracement before recovering through 2017.

Source: Per Case-Shiller Home Price Index, NYC metro subset, 2008-2020, cross-referenced with StreetEasy historical price data series.

Metric (2026)MelroseMidtown East
Median Sale Price$999,000$875,000
Median Rent$2,250/mo$5,095/mo
Year-over-Year Price Change+8.6%-12.4%
Average Days on Market86 days79 days
Distance to Nearest SubwayN/A0.28 mi

Table values reflect current 2026 market conditions. Historical 2008-2020 commentary is sourced from Case-Shiller NYC metro composite and StreetEasy historical series.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Melrose cheaper than Midtown East?
Midtown East is more affordable, with a median sale price of $875,000 vs $999,000 in Melrose. Pricing can vary widely by building, floor, and unit condition, so review current listings for accurate comparisons.
Which has better transit, Melrose or Midtown East?
Melrose has access to 0 subway lines and Midtown East has 7, making Midtown East 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, Melrose or Midtown East?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Melrose and Midtown East 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 Melrose or Midtown East?
The right neighborhood depends on your price range, commute needs, and preferred property type. A comparative market analysis (CMA) of recent sales in both Melrose and Midtown East 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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Data updated:

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