Milton Coste

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

(917) 416-7433

NYC Neighborhood Comparison

Chelsea vs Woodlawn

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

Manhattan|Bronx

Chelsea

Manhattan

Woodlawn

Bronx

How They Compare

For buyers focused on affordability, Woodlawn has the lower median sale price at $220K vs $1.3M in Chelsea.

Investors analyzing rental yield will find Woodlawn 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 Woodlawn.

Median Sale Price
$1.3M
$220K
Median Rent
$6K
$2K
Active Listings
366
3
Avg Days on Market
60.5 days
0 days
YoY Price Change
-19.4%
0.0%
Monthly Sales Volume
39
2

Detailed Comparison

MetricChelseaWoodlawn
Median Sale Price$1,250,000$220,000
Median Condo Price$3,052,500N/A
Median Co-op Price$830,000N/A
Median Rent$5,975$2,150
Active Listings3663
Rental Inventory7212
Days on Market60.50
Price Cut Share12.8%0.0%
Monthly Sales Volume392
YoY Price Change-19.4%0.0%
YoY Rent Change+7.7%0.0%
YoY Inventory Change-12.9%-25.0%
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 -19.4% over the past year, compared to 0.0% in Woodlawn. Both markets have seen price softening, with Chelsea declining more sharply over the measured period.

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.

View Full Market Report

Woodlawn

Woodlawn features single-family homes, co-op buildings, and rental apartments on low-traffic residential blocks adjacent to the historic 400-acre Woodlawn Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark with notable 19th-century mausoleums and monuments. The 4 train terminates at the Woodlawn station providing direct Manhattan access, and Van Cortlandt Park's 1,146 acres of trails and recreation sit to the west.

View Full Market Report

Transit Access

Chelsea

123ABCDEFMNQRW

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

Woodlawn

No subway data available

Active Listings

Chelsea for sale

View all Chelsea listings

Woodlawn for sale

View all Woodlawn 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 Woodlawn: 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 Woodlawn 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 Woodlawn 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)ChelseaWoodlawn
Median Sale Price$1,250,000$220,000
Median Rent$5,975/mo$2,150/mo
Year-over-Year Price Change-19.4%0.0%
Average Days on Market60.5 days0 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 Woodlawn?
Woodlawn is more affordable, with a median sale price of $220,000 vs $1,250,000 in Chelsea. Pricing can vary widely by building, floor, and unit condition, so review current listings for accurate comparisons.
Which has better transit, Chelsea or Woodlawn?
Chelsea has access to 14 subway lines and Woodlawn has 0, making Chelsea the stronger option for transit access. Woodlawn has 0 lines, which may still cover your commute depending on your destination.
Which is better for families, Chelsea or Woodlawn?
This depends on what type of home fits your household. Chelsea and Woodlawn 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 Woodlawn?
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 Woodlawn 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 Milton WhatsApp