Milton Coste

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Forest Hills vs Upper West Side

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

Queens|Manhattan

Forest Hills

Queens

Upper West Side

Manhattan

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Forest Hills has the lower median sale price at $615K vs $1.2M in Upper West Side.

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 Upper West Side, which is served by 5 subway lines compared to 0 in Forest Hills.

Median Sale Price
$615K
$1.2M
Median Rent
$3K
$5K
Active Listings
348
1081
Avg Days on Market
69.5 days
56 days
YoY Price Change
+57.9%
-10.9%
Monthly Sales Volume
47
131

Detailed Comparison

MetricForest HillsUpper West Side
Median Sale Price$615,000$1,247,356
Median Condo Price$814,600$1,790,968.5
Median Co-op Price$400,000$847,500
Median Rent$2,977.5$4,750
Active Listings3481081
Rental Inventory2281518
Days on Market69.556
Price Cut Share12.4%10.5%
Monthly Sales Volume47131
YoY Price Change+57.9%-10.9%
YoY Rent Change+14.5%+5.6%
YoY Inventory Change+15.6%-12.5%
Subway LinesN/A1 2 3 B C

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Forest Hills moved +57.9% over the past year, compared to -10.9% in Upper West Side. Forest Hills is seeing price appreciation while Upper West Side has softened, pointing to different supply-demand dynamics in each 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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Upper West Side

The Upper West Side (UWS) is celebrated for its cultural richness and architectural grandeur. Set between Central Park and Riverside Park, the neighborhood provides direct access to green space within the urban grid. Residents enjoy easy access to Lincoln Center, the American Museum of Natural History, and a popular culinary scene. The real estate landscape is famous for its historic brownstones and iconic 'white-glove' apartment buildings along Central Park West and Riverside Drive.

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Transit Access

Forest Hills

No subway data available

Upper West Side

123BC

86 St (1 B C) — 0.2 mi

79 St (1) — 0.3 mi

81 St-Museum of Natural History (B C) — 0.4 mi

96 St (1 2 3 B C) — 0.5 mi

72 St (1 2 3) — 0.7 mi

Active Listings

Forest Hills for sale

View all Forest Hills listings

Upper West Side for sale

View all Upper West Side 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 Upper West Side?
Yes, Forest Hills has a lower median sale price at $615,000 compared to $1,247,356 in Upper West Side 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 Upper West Side?
Forest Hills has access to 0 subway lines and Upper West Side has 5, making Upper West Side 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 Upper West Side?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Forest Hills and Upper West Side 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 Upper West Side?
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 Upper West Side 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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