NYC apartments: What you can buy, what you can rent

A curated collection of options for every budget

By Amy Plitt@plitter Updated Feb 10, 2020, 9:04am EST

A living area with light blue walls, a small kitchen with white cabinetry, a round, wooden dining table, and a grey couch on the left side.

Part of The beginner’s guide to New York City

Curbed Comparisons is a twice-weekly column that explores properties for rent or sale in all five of New York City’s boroughs. We seek out the best New York apartments that you can rent or buy at a particular price point, whether that’s a $3,000/month three-bedroom in Brooklyn or a $1 million Colonial home on Staten Island.

Here are some examples of recent homes for rent and for sale in New York City—and be sure to keep an eye on Curbed NY for more stellar New York real estate listings.

A living area with a beige couch, a window, a glass coffee table, and several framed paintings on the wall.

What $1 million buys in NYC right now

For just around $1 million, you can find a few different types of homes around New York City: a one-bedroom condo in Chinatown, an Upper East Side co-op, and a huge three-bedroom in Flatbush with its own balcony.

A living area with hardwood floors, a lofted bed, a dining table with chairs, and a grey couch.

What $390,000 buys in NYC right now

On the other end of the price spectrum, $390,000 can buy a skinny studio on the Upper West Side, a slightly larger studio in Park Slope, and—if you don’t mind a commute—a two-bedroom co-op in Bay Ridge.

A kitchen area with white cabinetry, hardwood floors, and a small wooden table with two chairs.

What $2,600 rents in NYC right now

You can find a diverse assortment of New York apartments for rent at the price point of $2,600/month: There’s a one-bedroom duplex in Crown Heights, a studio on a high floor in a Downtown Brooklyn skyscraper, and a one-bedroom in Williamsburg.

A two-bedroom apartment with historic details in Washington Heights.

What $3,500/month rents in NYC right now

At a slightly higher price point, there’s a two-bedroom in Prospect Heights, a one-bedroom in Long Island City, and a Lower East Side studio, all for just around $3,500/month.