Milton Coste

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NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Upper West Side vs Williamsburg

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

Manhattan|Brooklyn

Upper West Side

Manhattan

Williamsburg

Brooklyn

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Williamsburg has the lower median sale price at $1.1M vs $1.2M in Upper West Side.

Investors analyzing rental yield will find Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg.

Median Sale Price
$1.2M
$1.1M
Median Rent
$5K
$5K
Active Listings
1081
247
Avg Days on Market
56 days
45.5 days
YoY Price Change
-10.9%
-26.0%
Monthly Sales Volume
131
35

Detailed Comparison

MetricUpper West SideWilliamsburg
Median Sale Price$1,247,356$1,110,000
Median Condo Price$1,790,968.5$1,067,500
Median Co-op Price$847,500N/A
Median Rent$4,750$4,725
Active Listings1081247
Rental Inventory15181448
Days on Market5645.5
Price Cut Share10.5%7.3%
Monthly Sales Volume13135
YoY Price Change-10.9%-26.0%
YoY Rent Change+5.6%+5.0%
YoY Inventory Change-12.5%+7.4%
Subway Lines1 2 3 B CN/A

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Upper West Side moved -10.9% over the past year, compared to -26.0% in Williamsburg. Both markets have seen price softening, with Williamsburg declining more sharply over the measured period.

Neighborhood Profiles

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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Williamsburg

Williamsburg is the global face of Brooklyn's cultural and residential renaissance. Defined by its stunning waterfront parks and the iconic L-train connection to Manhattan, the neighborhood offers a high-energy lifestyle. The real estate market is dominated by sleek, glass-walled luxury condominiums along the East River, alongside historic warehouse conversions and boutique new developments that cater to a wide range of buyers and renters.

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Transit Access

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

Williamsburg

No subway data available

Active Listings

Upper West Side for sale

View all Upper West Side listings

Williamsburg for sale

View all Williamsburg 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.

Upper West Side vs Williamsburg: 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. Upper West Side and Williamsburg both tracked this broader NYC arc, with annual closing volume contracting sharply in 2009 and again in Q2 2020 before normalizing.

Upper West Side tracked the more resilient Manhattan price path with a 10% to 15% peak-to-trough decline, while Williamsburg 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)Upper West SideWilliamsburg
Median Sale Price$1,247,356$1,110,000
Median Rent$4,750/mo$4,725/mo
Year-over-Year Price Change-10.9%-26.0%
Average Days on Market56 days45.5 days
Distance to Nearest Subway0.15 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 Upper West Side cheaper than Williamsburg?
Williamsburg is more affordable, with a median sale price of $1,110,000 vs $1,247,356 in Upper West Side. Pricing can vary widely by building, floor, and unit condition, so review current listings for accurate comparisons.
Which has better transit, Upper West Side or Williamsburg?
Upper West Side has access to 5 subway lines and Williamsburg has 0, making Upper West Side the stronger option for transit access. Williamsburg has 0 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, Upper West Side or Williamsburg?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Upper West Side and Williamsburg 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 Upper West Side or Williamsburg?
The right neighborhood depends on your price range, commute needs, and preferred property type. A comparative market analysis (CMA) of recent sales in both Upper West Side and Williamsburg 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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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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