Milton Coste

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

(917) 416-7433

NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Washington Heights vs Williamsburg

Williamsburg vs Washington Heights: side-by-side market data, transit, and neighborhood profiles to help you decide.

Manhattan|Brooklyn

Washington Heights

Manhattan

Williamsburg

Brooklyn

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Washington Heights has the lower median sale price at $450K vs $1.9M in Williamsburg.

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

Commuters have more transit options in Washington Heights, which is served by 3 subway lines compared to 0 in Williamsburg.

Median Sale Price
$450K
$1.9M
Median Rent
$3K
$5K
Active Listings
225
269
Avg Days on Market
64.5 days
57 days
YoY Price Change
-16.7%
+59.8%
Monthly Sales Volume
16
38

Detailed Comparison

MetricWashington HeightsWilliamsburg
Median Sale Price$450,000$1,950,000
Median Condo Price$625,000$1,795,000
Median Co-op Price$450,000$392,500
Median Rent$3,000$4,999
Active Listings225269
Rental Inventory4161722
Days on Market64.557
Price Cut Share17.3%8.9%
Monthly Sales Volume1638
YoY Price Change-16.7%+59.8%
YoY Rent Change+1.7%+1.9%
YoY Inventory Change+5.6%+1.9%
Subway Lines1 A CN/A

Year-Over-Year Price Movement

Prices in Washington Heights moved -16.7% over the past year, compared to +59.8% in Williamsburg. Williamsburg is seeing price appreciation while Washington Heights has softened, pointing to different supply-demand dynamics in each market.

Neighborhood Profiles

Washington Heights

Washington Heights is a well-connected neighborhood known for its dramatic topography and stunning views of the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge. Home to the Cloisters and Fort Tryon Park, the area offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty. The real estate market is characterized by large, pre-war cooperatives that offer significant space for the price, making it a popular choice for those seeking value and community.

View Full Market Report

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.

View Full Market Report

Transit Access

Washington Heights

1AC

181 St (1 A) — 0.4 mi

175 St (A) — 0.4 mi

168 St (1 A C) — 0.5 mi

163 St-Amsterdam Av (C) — 0.7 mi

Williamsburg

No subway data available

Active Listings

Washington Heights for sale

View all Washington Heights 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.

Washington Heights 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. Washington Heights and Williamsburg both tracked this broader NYC arc, with annual closing volume contracting sharply in 2009 and again in Q2 2020 before normalizing.

Washington Heights 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)Washington HeightsWilliamsburg
Median Sale Price$450,000$1,950,000
Median Rent$3,000/mo$4,999/mo
Year-over-Year Price Change-16.7%+59.8%
Average Days on Market64.5 days57 days
Distance to Nearest Subway0.36 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 Washington Heights cheaper than Williamsburg?
Yes, Washington Heights has a lower median sale price at $450,000 compared to $1,950,000 in Williamsburg 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, Washington Heights or Williamsburg?
Washington Heights has access to 3 subway lines and Williamsburg has 0, making Washington Heights 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, Washington Heights or Williamsburg?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Washington Heights 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 Washington Heights 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 Washington Heights 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.

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:

Call Text Valuation