Milton Coste

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Chelsea vs Red Hook

Red Hook vs Chelsea: side-by-side market data, transit, and neighborhood profiles to help you decide.

Manhattan|Brooklyn

Chelsea

Manhattan

Red Hook

Brooklyn

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Chelsea has the lower median sale price at $1.4M vs $2.3M in Red Hook.

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

Commuters have more transit options in Chelsea, which is served by 14 subway lines compared to 0 in Red Hook.

Median Sale Price
$1.4M
$2.3M
Median Rent
$6K
$4K
Active Listings
414
14
Avg Days on Market
64.5 days
76 days
YoY Price Change
+33.8%
+104.4%
Monthly Sales Volume
37
3

Detailed Comparison

MetricChelseaRed Hook
Median Sale Price$1,385,000$2,300,000
Median Condo Price$2,370,000$995,000
Median Co-op Price$960,000$813,581
Median Rent$6,131$4,300
Active Listings41414
Rental Inventory83423
Days on Market64.576
Price Cut Share15.5%7.1%
Monthly Sales Volume373
YoY Price Change+33.8%+104.4%
YoY Rent Change+7.8%+22.9%
YoY Inventory Change-17.2%-39.1%
Subway Lines1 2 3 A B C D E F M N Q R WN/A

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Chelsea moved +33.8% over the past year, compared to +104.4% in Red Hook. The +104.4% gain in Red Hook reflects stronger buyer demand relative to available inventory in that market.

Neighborhood Profiles

Chelsea

Chelsea is the epicenter of New York’s contemporary art world and a hub for innovative architecture. Home to the High Line and Chelsea Market, the neighborhood mixes industrial history with modern luxury. The real estate market here is dominated by high-end condominium developments designed by world-renowned architects, alongside historic pre-war lofts and historic townhouses in the Chelsea Historic District.

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Red Hook

Red Hook is a waterfront neighborhood defined by cobblestone lanes, repurposed brick warehouses, and low-rise residential buildings on a peninsula jutting into Upper New York Bay. No subway runs directly through the neighborhood; NYC Ferry's South Brooklyn route and the B61 bus provide primary transit connections to Downtown Brooklyn and Manhattan. Valentino Pier Park and the 58-acre Red Hook Recreation Area offer harbor-front green space, while the working cruise terminal at Pier 12 maintains the area's maritime heritage.

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Transit Access

Chelsea

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34 St-Penn Station (1 2 3 A C E) — 0.6 mi

34 St-Herald Sq (B D F M N Q R W) — 0.7 mi

Red Hook

No subway data available

Active Listings

Chelsea for sale

View all Chelsea listings

Red Hook for sale

View all Red Hook 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.

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

Chelsea tracked the more resilient Manhattan price path with a 10% to 15% peak-to-trough decline, while Red Hook 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)ChelseaRed Hook
Median Sale Price$1,385,000$2,300,000
Median Rent$6,131/mo$4,300/mo
Year-over-Year Price Change+33.8%+104.4%
Average Days on Market64.5 days76 days
Distance to Nearest Subway0.59 miN/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 Chelsea cheaper than Red Hook?
Yes, Chelsea has a lower median sale price at $1,385,000 compared to $2,300,000 in Red Hook 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, Chelsea or Red Hook?
Chelsea has access to 14 subway lines and Red Hook has 0, making Chelsea the stronger option for transit access. Red Hook has 0 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, Chelsea or Red Hook?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Chelsea and Red Hook 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 Chelsea or Red Hook?
The right neighborhood depends on your price range, commute needs, and preferred property type. A comparative market analysis (CMA) of recent sales in both Chelsea and Red Hook 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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