Milton Coste

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Brownsville vs Pelham Bay

Pelham Bay vs Brownsville: side-by-side market data, transit, and neighborhood profiles to help you decide.

Brooklyn|Bronx

Brownsville

Brooklyn

Pelham Bay

Bronx

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Pelham Bay has the lower median sale price at $639K vs $825K in Brownsville.

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

Median Sale Price
$825K
$639K
Median Rent
$3K
$3K
Active Listings
22
8
Avg Days on Market
311 days
301 days
YoY Price Change
+14.6%
-1.6%
Monthly Sales Volume
7
4

Detailed Comparison

MetricBrownsvillePelham Bay
Median Sale Price$825,000$638,500
Median Condo PriceN/A$237,500
Median Co-op Price$200,000$170,000
Median Rent$2,550$3,300
Active Listings228
Rental Inventory4313
Days on Market311301
Price Cut Share4.2%10.0%
Monthly Sales Volume74
YoY Price Change+14.6%-1.6%
YoY Rent Change+6.3%+11.9%
YoY Inventory Change-12.0%+166.7%
Subway LinesN/AN/A

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Brownsville moved +14.6% over the past year, compared to -1.6% in Pelham Bay. Brownsville is seeing price appreciation while Pelham Bay has softened, pointing to different supply-demand dynamics in each market.

Neighborhood Profiles

Brownsville

Brownsville is an East Brooklyn neighborhood of large public housing complexes, low-rise row houses, and a growing number of new construction residential projects. The 3 and 4 trains run through the neighborhood along Eastern Parkway and New Lots Avenue, providing direct subway access to Downtown Brooklyn and Manhattan. Betsy Head Park offers a public pool, track, and sports facilities.

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Pelham Bay

Pelham Bay is a Bronx neighborhood of single-family detached homes, two-family brick houses, and co-op apartment buildings near the 2,772-acre Pelham Bay Park, the largest park in New York City. The 6 train terminates at Pelham Bay Park station, providing direct subway access to Manhattan. Orchard Beach, the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, and the Pelham Bay/Split Rock Golf Course are all within the park.

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Transit Access

Brownsville

No subway data available

Pelham Bay

No subway data available

Active Listings

Brownsville for sale

View all Brownsville listings

Pelham Bay for sale

View all Pelham Bay 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.

Brownsville vs Pelham Bay: 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. Brownsville and Pelham Bay both tracked this broader NYC arc, with annual closing volume contracting sharply in 2009 and again in Q2 2020 before normalizing.

Outer-borough submarkets including Brownsville and Pelham Bay generally tracked the broader NYC metro pattern of a 20% to 25% peak-to-trough decline before fully recovering by 2017 and posting further gains through early 2020.

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

Metric (2026)BrownsvillePelham Bay
Median Sale Price$825,000$638,500
Median Rent$2,550/mo$3,300/mo
Year-over-Year Price Change+14.6%-1.6%
Average Days on Market311 days301 days
Distance to Nearest SubwayN/AN/A

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 Brownsville cheaper than Pelham Bay?
Pelham Bay is more affordable, with a median sale price of $638,500 vs $825,000 in Brownsville. Pricing can vary widely by building, floor, and unit condition, so review current listings for accurate comparisons.
Which has better transit, Brownsville or Pelham Bay?
Transit data is not available for these neighborhoods. Check the MTA website for current service maps.
Which is better for families, Brownsville or Pelham Bay?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Brownsville and Pelham Bay 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 Brownsville or Pelham Bay?
The right neighborhood depends on your price range, commute needs, and preferred property type. A comparative market analysis (CMA) of recent sales in both Brownsville and Pelham Bay 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.

More Comparisons

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.

Data updated:

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