Most Affordable Places to Live in NYC

Finding an affordable place to live in New York City has become, for many people, a bigger challenge than the move itself. Rents continue to rise, listings move fast, and what looks “cheap” in an online ad can often mean significant compromises—ones you only discover after signing the lease.

Still, even in a city known for its high living costs, there are areas where prices remain more realistic. These are neighborhoods that, for clear reasons—distance, building stock, or demand levels—maintain lower rents than the citywide average.

The article below shows where affordable rentals can still be found in NYC and what to realistically expect in each area, so you can weigh your options with clarity and avoid unpleasant surprises.

1. The Bronx: the borough with the most consistently affordable rents

When people search for “the cheapest places to live in NYC,” they most often end up in the Bronx—one of the city’s five boroughs. This is where you’ll most frequently find the lowest rent levels citywide, especially in older residential building stock.

Bronx neighborhoods that regularly appear in “affordable” searches and rental shortlists include:

• Kingsbridge
• Riverdale / North Riverdale
• Norwood
• Morris Park

What’s important to know to avoid surprises:

• many buildings are walk-ups (no elevator), which affects both comfort and moving logistics
• commuting to Midtown or Downtown can take longer, depending on the subway line
• even neighboring areas can differ significantly in vibe and pricing

The Bronx remains the most reliable option for lower rents in NYC, but choosing the right neighborhood—and even the right block—matters more here than in many other parts of the city.

2. Staten Island: the best price-per-space ratio, with a commuting trade-off

In many cases, Staten Island offers more space for the same budget compared to Manhattan or Brooklyn—and sometimes even Queens.

Neighborhoods on the North Shore, often referred to as “Downtown” Staten Island and popular with renters due to their proximity to the ferry, include:

• St. George
• Tompkinsville
• Stapleton

What to understand realistically:

• the main advantage is space and, in many cases, a more forgiving rent
• the main drawback is commute time (ferry plus connections), so “affordable” should also be evaluated in terms of time cost
• in terms of lifestyle, Staten Island is generally quieter—ideal for some, less appealing for others

For renters who value space and can accommodate a longer commute, Staten Island remains one of the strongest affordability options in NYC.

3. Queens: the borough with the best balance between price and access

Queens is the largest borough in New York City by area and one of the most diverse. From a rental perspective, several Queens neighborhoods consistently offer one of the best compromises between more affordable pricing and good access to Manhattan.

Queens neighborhoods where rents tend to remain more moderate include:

• Jackson Heights
• Elmhurst
• Rego Park
• Briarwood

Why these areas are more affordable:

• a large inventory of older residential buildings
• fewer luxury developments than in Brooklyn
• strong access to major subway lines

What to understand realistically:

• many buildings lack modern amenities (new elevators, gyms, rooftops)
• population density is high in some areas
• prices can vary significantly from one street to another

For many renters, Queens remains the most balanced choice when looking for an affordable place to live that is still well connected to the rest of the city.

4. Brooklyn: the borough where only certain neighborhoods remain affordable

Brooklyn is currently one of the most sought-after boroughs in NYC. As a result, rents have increased sharply over the past decade. That said, there are still parts of southern Brooklyn where prices remain more moderate.

Brooklyn neighborhoods that are generally considered more affordable include:

• Sunset Park
• Dyker Heights
• Bensonhurst

Why these areas tend to have lower rents:

• locations farther from major central hubs
• predominantly residential character, with limited luxury development pressure
• classic multi-family building stock

Common trade-offs to expect:

• longer commutes to Manhattan
• fewer new or recently built properties
• more limited nightlife compared to northern Brooklyn

For renters who want to stay in Brooklyn but are looking for more realistic pricing, these neighborhoods remain the most logical starting points in 2026.

5. Manhattan: only Upper Manhattan remains relatively affordable

Manhattan is the borough with the highest rents in NYC. That said, in the northern part of the island there are still neighborhoods where prices remain more moderate compared to the rest of Manhattan.

Upper Manhattan neighborhoods that are generally considered more affordable include:

• Washington Heights
• Inwood

Why rents tend to be lower in these areas:

• locations farther from Midtown and Downtown
• older residential building stock
• a high number of walk-up buildings

What to understand realistically:

• commuting to central Manhattan takes longer
• many buildings do not have elevators
• well-priced listings move very quickly when they appear

Upper Manhattan remains the only part of the borough where renters can still find relatively accessible pricing—provided they act fast and accept a few practical trade-offs.

Quick comparison between NYC boroughs

In New York City, there are no truly cheap places in the traditional sense anymore. What exists instead are neighborhoods that are more realistic for certain budgets. The difference often comes down to commute time, building type, and the lifestyle each borough offers.

If your goal is to find the cheapest places to live in NYC, the Bronx and Staten Island continue to offer the lowest overall costs. Queens remains the most balanced option, southern Brooklyn still provides some moderately priced areas, and Upper Manhattan represents the last relatively accessible option within Manhattan itself.

And if you’re planning to move soon, where you choose to live matters—but so does how you get there. Moishe’s Moving is a NYC-based moving company with deep local experience, familiar with building rules, limited parking, freight elevators, and the logistical realities of the city. A team that knows the terrain makes the difference between a stressful move and a well-coordinated one.

Choosing the right neighborhood and planning the move always go hand in hand.