What Does $3,000 Rent You in Each NYC Neighborhood?
16.5% of NYC apartments listed September 12 to October 13, 2026 asked $3,000 a month or less: 4,733 of 28,616. That was 19.2% of one-bedrooms and 14.9% of two-bedrooms. In Queens and the Bronx about 35% of apartments were at $3,000 or less. In Manhattan it was 6.1%.
Published October 14, 2026. Data: NYC apartments that we first collected September 12 to October 13, 2026, one listing per apartment, asking rents. Posts on classified boards are left out, for the reasons in the method notes below.
The short version: Of the 3,691 apartments asking $2,750 to $3,250, 2,905 (78.7%) were outside Manhattan. 35.2% were one-bedrooms, 30.3% were two-bedrooms and 22.0% were studios. Where a listing stated a size, the median was 800 square feet. In 12 of 71 neighborhoods, half or more of the one-bedrooms asked $3,000 or less. In 15 of those 71, none did.
How much of NYC can you rent for $3,000?
The citywide median asking rent in the sample was $4,250. A $3,000 budget reached 16.5% of apartments, $3,500 reached 31.1% and $4,000 reached 45.0%.
Share of NYC apartments at or under each budget, by size
All five boroughs.
| Size | Apartments | Median ask | $2,500 or less | $3,000 or less | $3,500 or less | $4,000 or less |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any size | 28,616 | $4,250 | 6.4% | 16.5% | 31.1% | 45.0% |
| Studio | 4,740 | $3,690 | 10.0% | 23.2% | 43.8% | 65.9% |
| 1 bedroom | 10,457 | $4,340 | 9.2% | 19.2% | 32.9% | 43.7% |
| 2 bedrooms | 8,662 | $4,800 | 3.7% | 14.9% | 26.5% | 37.9% |
| 3+ bedrooms | 4,757 | $4,700 | 1.5% | 7.1% | 22.7% | 39.8% |
NYC apartments first listed September 12 to October 13, 2026, one listing each, classified-board posts left out.
| Size | Apartments | Median ask | $3,000 or less | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 4,740 | $3,690 | 1,102 | 23.2% |
| 1 bedroom | 10,457 | $4,340 | 2,007 | 19.2% |
| 2 bedrooms | 8,662 | $4,800 | 1,288 | 14.9% |
| 3+ bedrooms | 4,757 | $4,700 | 336 | 7.1% |
| Any size | 28,616 | $4,250 | 4,733 | 16.5% |
The citywide medians mix boroughs. Studios were more often in Manhattan (2,856 of 4,740) and apartments with three or more bedrooms more often in Brooklyn and Queens, which is why the 3+ bedroom median ($4,700) is below the two-bedroom median ($4,800). In Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx, each larger size had a higher median ask.
Which NYC neighborhoods have the most apartments under $3,000?
Move the slider to your budget and pick a size. The chart ranks neighborhoods by the share of apartments that ask your budget or less. Each neighborhood needs at least 30 apartments of the chosen size to appear.
Share of apartments asking $3,000 or less, by NYC neighborhood
Neighborhoods with at least 30 apartments in the sample, ordered by apartments.
| Neighborhood | Borough | Median ask | Any size | 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bushwick | Brooklyn | $3,800 | 11.1% of 959 | 32.7% of 168 | 5.4% of 461 |
| Williamsburg | Brooklyn | $5,030 | 2.1% of 894 | 1.4% of 280 | 0.6% of 362 |
| Hell's Kitchen | Manhattan | $4,987 | 3.5% of 888 | 2.4% of 412 | 0.0% of 212 |
| Financial District | Manhattan | $4,851 | 1.1% of 854 | 0.0% of 284 | 0.0% of 136 |
| Flatbush | Brooklyn | $3,248 | 28.9% of 852 | 35.5% of 304 | 16.5% of 231 |
| Hunters Point | Queens | $4,565 | 0.5% of 754 | 0.9% of 346 | 0.0% of 220 |
| Downtown Brooklyn | Brooklyn | $4,792 | 2.7% of 714 | 0.0% of 365 | 0.0% of 188 |
| Upper West Side | Manhattan | $5,294 | 6.4% of 714 | 2.4% of 253 | 0.5% of 189 |
| Mott Haven | Bronx | $3,257 | 22.6% of 708 | 25.1% of 342 | 11.4% of 289 |
| Lenox Hill | Manhattan | $5,603 | 7.1% of 665 | 5.4% of 279 | 3.4% of 178 |
| Kips Bay | Manhattan | $5,121 | 2.5% of 647 | 0.8% of 255 | 0.0% of 139 |
| Yorkville | Manhattan | $4,895 | 9.9% of 647 | 4.8% of 291 | 0.6% of 159 |
| Murray Hill | Manhattan | $5,250 | 4.0% of 622 | 2.3% of 256 | 0.6% of 159 |
| Astoria | Queens | $3,848 | 19.3% of 596 | 28.9% of 280 | 5.6% of 215 |
| East Village | Manhattan | $5,508 | 5.7% of 548 | 3.7% of 189 | 2.6% of 151 |
| Crown Heights | Brooklyn | $3,995 | 18.4% of 512 | 21.7% of 166 | 9.0% of 178 |
| Gowanus | Brooklyn | $4,628 | 0.8% of 506 | 0.5% of 222 | 0.0% of 164 |
| Lincoln Square | Manhattan | $6,400 | 2.0% of 461 | 0.9% of 219 | 0.0% of 135 |
| Greenpoint | Brooklyn | $4,950 | 2.3% of 437 | 1.3% of 158 | 1.6% of 126 |
| Stuyvesant Heights | Brooklyn | $3,499 | 22.0% of 423 | 34.9% of 129 | 14.3% of 140 |
| Chelsea | Manhattan | $6,201 | 1.8% of 389 | 1.1% of 188 | 0.0% of 79 |
| Hudson Yards | Manhattan | $5,194 | 0.0% of 386 | 0.0% of 178 | 0.0% of 82 |
| Bedford-Stuyvesant | Brooklyn | $3,750 | 16.6% of 379 | 17.1% of 129 | 8.7% of 127 |
| Tribeca | Manhattan | $7,595 | 0.3% of 364 | 0.0% of 119 | 0.0% of 128 |
| Park Slope | Brooklyn | $5,225 | 3.3% of 362 | 5.1% of 118 | 0.7% of 153 |
| West Village | Manhattan | $5,995 | 1.1% of 361 | 0.0% of 154 | 0.0% of 70 |
| Midtown | Manhattan | $5,088 | 1.4% of 352 | 1.2% of 172 | 0.0% of 82 |
| Turtle Bay | Manhattan | $5,100 | 4.4% of 341 | 2.1% of 145 | 0.0% of 70 |
| Battery Park City | Manhattan | $5,515 | 0.0% of 314 | 0.0% of 147 | 0.0% of 88 |
| East Harlem | Manhattan | $3,495 | 29.3% of 287 | 46.8% of 94 | 22.9% of 105 |
| Fulton/Seaport | Manhattan | $5,700 | 1.4% of 286 | 3.2% of 93 | 0.0% of 70 |
| Long Island City | Queens | $4,620 | 4.4% of 274 | 6.8% of 132 | 2.7% of 75 |
| Fort Greene | Brooklyn | $4,419 | 4.4% of 271 | 9.2% of 109 | 1.5% of 66 |
| Jamaica | Queens | $3,199 | 46.2% of 260 | 75.8% of 99 | 25.9% of 81 |
| Sutton Place | Manhattan | $5,575 | 3.1% of 258 | 4.6% of 108 | 0.0% of 68 |
| West Chelsea | Manhattan | $6,212 | 0.4% of 238 | 0.9% of 111 | 0.0% of 52 |
| Forest Hills | Queens | $3,471 | 36.5% of 230 | 64.8% of 88 | 8.3% of 72 |
| East New York | Brooklyn | $3,000 | 50.7% of 223 | 82.7% of 52 | 41.2% of 85 |
| Lower East Side | Manhattan | $5,820 | 1.8% of 221 | 0.0% of 82 | 0.0% of 74 |
| Gramercy Park | Manhattan | $5,972 | 1.9% of 214 | 1.4% of 73 | 1.6% of 63 |
| Greenwich Village | Manhattan | $6,000 | 1.9% of 211 | 1.0% of 100 | 1.7% of 60 |
| Midtown South | Manhattan | $5,298 | 0.5% of 204 | 0.0% of 104 | 0.0% of 32 |
| Stuyvesant Town/PCV | Manhattan | $5,734 | 0.0% of 203 | 0.0% of 61 | 0.0% of 107 |
| Central Harlem | Manhattan | $3,338 | 39.6% of 202 | 43.9% of 82 | 18.0% of 61 |
| Ridgewood | Queens | $3,400 | 21.4% of 201 | 60.5% of 38 | 12.3% of 106 |
| Boerum Hill | Brooklyn | $5,000 | 1.1% of 184 | 0.0% of 58 | 0.0% of 85 |
| NoMad | Manhattan | $6,223 | 1.7% of 179 | 2.1% of 94 | 0.0% of 48 |
| Midwood | Brooklyn | $3,275 | 38.1% of 168 | 47.0% of 66 | 25.7% of 70 |
| Flatiron | Manhattan | $6,600 | 0.0% of 158 | 0.0% of 76 | too few |
| Clinton Hill | Brooklyn | $4,122 | 12.5% of 152 | 5.4% of 56 | 0.0% of 38 |
| East Flatbush | Brooklyn | $3,000 | 56.0% of 150 | too few | 55.7% of 88 |
| Flushing | Queens | $2,900 | 58.5% of 147 | 84.4% of 45 | 50.0% of 56 |
| Rego Park | Queens | $3,235 | 46.3% of 147 | 72.7% of 55 | 31.5% of 54 |
| South Harlem | Manhattan | $3,790 | 23.6% of 144 | 27.1% of 48 | 12.2% of 49 |
| Upper East Side | Manhattan | $5,470 | 3.8% of 130 | 4.5% of 66 | too few |
| Carnegie Hill | Manhattan | $4,898 | 5.6% of 124 | 1.9% of 53 | too few |
| Manhattan Valley | Manhattan | $4,110 | 15.3% of 124 | 25.6% of 39 | 0.0% of 41 |
| North New York | Bronx | $3,225 | 29.8% of 124 | 31.0% of 58 | 34.0% of 47 |
| Greenwood | Brooklyn | $3,364 | 43.9% of 123 | 14.3% of 42 | too few |
| Roosevelt Island | Manhattan | $4,331 | 5.0% of 119 | 0.0% of 49 | too few |
| Hamilton Heights | Manhattan | $3,404 | 33.9% of 112 | 62.5% of 32 | too few |
| Prospect Heights | Brooklyn | $4,750 | 1.8% of 112 | 2.3% of 43 | 0.0% of 33 |
| Brooklyn Heights | Brooklyn | $5,142 | 6.7% of 105 | 4.9% of 41 | too few |
| Ditmars-Steinway | Queens | $3,450 | 39.0% of 105 | 77.4% of 31 | too few |
| Washington Heights | Manhattan | $3,100 | 45.7% of 105 | too few | 48.6% of 35 |
| East Williamsburg | Brooklyn | $4,600 | 2.9% of 103 | too few | 0.0% of 46 |
| Jackson Heights | Queens | $2,708 | 69.6% of 102 | 76.1% of 46 | too few |
| Woodside | Queens | $2,950 | 56.4% of 94 | 84.4% of 32 | 44.1% of 34 |
| Ocean Hill | Brooklyn | $3,300 | 35.5% of 93 | too few | 51.2% of 41 |
| DUMBO | Brooklyn | $5,864 | 0.0% of 92 | 0.0% of 42 | 0.0% of 34 |
| Bayside | Queens | $3,475 | 29.9% of 87 | too few | too few |
| Prospect Lefferts Gardens | Brooklyn | $3,395 | 10.3% of 87 | 7.3% of 55 | too few |
| Soho | Manhattan | $6,295 | 0.0% of 81 | 0.0% of 32 | 0.0% of 32 |
| Nolita | Manhattan | $5,995 | 0.0% of 79 | 0.0% of 37 | too few |
| Corona | Queens | $3,052 | 49.4% of 77 | too few | too few |
| Concourse | Bronx | $3,252 | 40.3% of 72 | too few | too few |
| Kensington | Brooklyn | $2,994 | 54.2% of 72 | too few | too few |
| Elmhurst | Queens | $2,900 | 58.0% of 69 | too few | too few |
| Inwood | Manhattan | $2,995 | 55.1% of 69 | 63.6% of 33 | too few |
| Carroll Gardens | Brooklyn | $5,700 | 1.5% of 66 | too few | too few |
| Belmont | Bronx | $4,150 | 24.6% of 65 | too few | too few |
| Queens Village | Queens | $2,500 | 72.3% of 65 | too few | too few |
| Kew Gardens | Queens | $2,595 | 84.4% of 64 | 100.0% of 37 | too few |
| Sunnyside | Queens | $2,800 | 57.1% of 63 | too few | too few |
| Homecrest | Brooklyn | $3,196 | 49.2% of 61 | too few | too few |
| Morningside Heights | Manhattan | $5,300 | 9.8% of 61 | too few | too few |
| Springfield Gardens | Queens | $3,400 | 36.1% of 61 | too few | too few |
| Hudson Heights | Manhattan | $3,262 | 44.1% of 59 | too few | too few |
| Riverdale | Bronx | $3,200 | 47.5% of 59 | too few | too few |
| Gravesend | Brooklyn | $2,800 | 57.9% of 57 | too few | too few |
| Vinegar Hill | Brooklyn | $5,900 | 0.0% of 57 | too few | 0.0% of 41 |
| Briarwood | Queens | $2,400 | 87.5% of 56 | too few | too few |
| Murray Hill (Queens) | Queens | $2,960 | 55.4% of 56 | too few | too few |
| Oakland Gardens | Queens | $2,900 | 57.1% of 56 | too few | too few |
| Woodhaven | Queens | $2,947 | 51.8% of 56 | too few | too few |
| Manhattanville | Manhattan | $3,861 | 25.9% of 54 | too few | too few |
| Rosedale | Queens | $3,546 | 33.3% of 54 | too few | too few |
| Weeksville | Brooklyn | $3,075 | 40.7% of 54 | too few | too few |
| Ditmas Park | Brooklyn | $3,150 | 47.2% of 53 | too few | too few |
| Coney Island | Brooklyn | $3,725 | 13.5% of 52 | too few | too few |
| Glendale | Queens | $3,225 | 38.5% of 52 | too few | too few |
| Maspeth | Queens | $3,000 | 55.8% of 52 | too few | too few |
| Fort George | Manhattan | $3,100 | 45.8% of 48 | too few | too few |
| St. Albans | Queens | $3,538 | 16.7% of 48 | too few | too few |
| Canarsie | Brooklyn | $2,800 | 74.5% of 47 | too few | too few |
| College Point | Queens | $2,800 | 74.5% of 47 | too few | too few |
| Cypress Hills | Brooklyn | $3,300 | 14.9% of 47 | too few | 12.1% of 33 |
| South Jamaica | Queens | $3,200 | 40.0% of 45 | too few | too few |
| Windsor Terrace | Brooklyn | $4,178 | 13.3% of 45 | too few | too few |
| Laurelton | Queens | $3,500 | 34.1% of 44 | too few | too few |
| Bay Ridge | Brooklyn | $2,850 | 55.8% of 43 | too few | too few |
| Spuyten Duyvil | Bronx | $3,245 | 39.5% of 43 | too few | too few |
| Fresh Meadows | Queens | $2,625 | 61.9% of 42 | too few | too few |
| Sunset Park | Brooklyn | $2,937 | 61.9% of 42 | too few | too few |
| Noho | Manhattan | $5,850 | 2.4% of 41 | too few | too few |
| Wakefield | Bronx | $3,150 | 45.0% of 40 | too few | too few |
| Bath Beach | Brooklyn | $2,275 | 89.7% of 39 | too few | too few |
| Jamaica Estates | Queens | $3,000 | 51.3% of 39 | too few | too few |
| Kew Gardens Hills | Queens | $2,600 | 74.4% of 39 | too few | too few |
| Central Park South | Manhattan | $9,250 | 0.0% of 38 | too few | too few |
| Hudson Square | Manhattan | $7,200 | 2.6% of 38 | too few | too few |
| Cobble Hill | Brooklyn | $4,995 | 2.7% of 37 | too few | too few |
| Two Bridges | Manhattan | $5,300 | 5.4% of 37 | too few | too few |
| Middle Village | Queens | $3,050 | 50.0% of 36 | too few | too few |
| Jamaica Hills | Queens | $3,200 | 45.7% of 35 | too few | too few |
| Brownsville | Brooklyn | $3,133 | 47.1% of 34 | too few | too few |
| Far Rockaway | Queens | $2,649 | 70.6% of 34 | too few | too few |
| Richmond Hill | Queens | $3,000 | 57.6% of 33 | too few | too few |
| Sheepshead Bay | Brooklyn | $3,009 | 48.5% of 33 | too few | too few |
| Whitestone | Queens | $3,125 | 40.6% of 32 | too few | too few |
| Beekman | Manhattan | $4,872 | 10.0% of 30 | too few | too few |
NYC apartments first listed September 12 to October 13, 2026, one listing each, classified-board posts left out. "Too few": fewer than 30 apartments of that size.
For apartments of any size, the neighborhoods with the highest share at $3,000 or less were Bath Beach (89.7%, 35 of 39), Briarwood (87.5%, 49 of 56), Kew Gardens (84.4%, 54 of 64), Canarsie and College Point (74.5% each, 35 of 47). The explorer covers all 131 neighborhoods with at least 30 apartments in the sample.
Cheapest NYC neighborhoods for a one-bedroom at $3,000
71 neighborhoods had at least 30 one-bedroom apartments in the sample. In 12 of them, half or more of the one-bedrooms asked $3,000 or less.
Neighborhoods where the most 1-bedrooms ask $3,000 or less
Top 15 of 71 neighborhoods with at least 30 1-bedrooms.
| Neighborhood | Borough | At $3,000 or less | Median ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kew Gardens | Queens | 100.0% (37 of 37) | $2,500 |
| Flushing | Queens | 84.4% (38 of 45) | $2,420 |
| Woodside | Queens | 84.4% (27 of 32) | $2,624 |
| East New York | Brooklyn | 82.7% (43 of 52) | $2,792 |
| Ditmars-Steinway | Queens | 77.4% (24 of 31) | $2,600 |
| Jackson Heights | Queens | 76.1% (35 of 46) | $2,500 |
| Jamaica | Queens | 75.8% (75 of 99) | $2,815 |
| Rego Park | Queens | 72.7% (40 of 55) | $2,658 |
| Forest Hills | Queens | 64.8% (57 of 88) | $2,700 |
| Inwood | Manhattan | 63.6% (21 of 33) | $2,950 |
| Hamilton Heights | Manhattan | 62.5% (20 of 32) | $2,900 |
| Ridgewood | Queens | 60.5% (23 of 38) | $2,999 |
| Midwood | Brooklyn | 47.0% (31 of 66) | $3,075 |
| East Harlem | Manhattan | 46.8% (44 of 94) | $3,164 |
| Central Harlem | Manhattan | 43.9% (36 of 82) | $3,192 |
NYC apartments first listed September 12 to October 13, 2026, one listing each, classified-board posts left out.
- Queens led the list. Kew Gardens (37 of 37), Flushing (84.4%), Woodside (84.4%), Ditmars-Steinway (77.4%), Jackson Heights (76.1%), Jamaica (75.8%), Rego Park (72.7%) and Forest Hills (64.8%).
- In Brooklyn, East New York had the highest share (82.7%, 43 of 52), then Midwood (47.0%).
- In Manhattan, Inwood (63.6%), Hamilton Heights (62.5%), East Harlem (46.8%) and Central Harlem (43.9%).
- None at $3,000. In 15 of the 71 neighborhoods, no one-bedroom in the sample asked $3,000 or less. They include Midtown South (104 one-bedrooms, median $5,500), DUMBO (42, $5,550), the West Village (154, $5,992), Flatiron (76, $6,600) and Tribeca (119, $6,995).
A listing called a one-bedroom is not always a full one-bedroom. Our guide to junior one-bedrooms and alcove studios explains what to check.
Where can you rent a two-bedroom in NYC for $3,000?
64 neighborhoods had at least 30 two-bedroom apartments in the sample. In 3 of them, half or more asked $3,000 or less. In 29, none did.
Neighborhoods where the most 2-bedrooms ask $3,000 or less
Top 15 of 64 neighborhoods with at least 30 2-bedrooms.
| Neighborhood | Borough | At $3,000 or less | Median ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Flatbush | Brooklyn | 55.7% (49 of 88) | $3,000 |
| Ocean Hill | Brooklyn | 51.2% (21 of 41) | $3,000 |
| Flushing | Queens | 50.0% (28 of 56) | $3,095 |
| Washington Heights | Manhattan | 48.6% (17 of 35) | $3,071 |
| Woodside | Queens | 44.1% (15 of 34) | $3,247 |
| East New York | Brooklyn | 41.2% (35 of 85) | $3,250 |
| North New York | Bronx | 34.0% (16 of 47) | $3,216 |
| Rego Park | Queens | 31.5% (17 of 54) | $3,500 |
| Jamaica | Queens | 25.9% (21 of 81) | $3,610 |
| Midwood | Brooklyn | 25.7% (18 of 70) | $3,364 |
| East Harlem | Manhattan | 22.9% (24 of 105) | $3,350 |
| Central Harlem | Manhattan | 18.0% (11 of 61) | $3,790 |
| Flatbush | Brooklyn | 16.5% (38 of 231) | $3,550 |
| Stuyvesant Heights | Brooklyn | 14.3% (20 of 140) | $3,600 |
| Ridgewood | Queens | 12.3% (13 of 106) | $3,400 |
NYC apartments first listed September 12 to October 13, 2026, one listing each, classified-board posts left out.
East Flatbush had the highest share (55.7%, 49 of 88), then Ocean Hill (51.2%, 21 of 41), Flushing (50.0%, 28 of 56), Washington Heights (48.6%, 17 of 35) and Woodside (44.1%, 15 of 34). If you plan to share, our roommate savings report compares one rent split two ways with two one-bedrooms.
$3,000 rent by borough
Share of apartments at $3,000 or less, by borough and size
| Borough | Any size | Studio | 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms | 3+ bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | 6.1% of 12,818 | 13.2% of 2,856 | 5.6% of 5,229 | 2.9% of 3,259 | 1.5% of 1,474 |
| Brooklyn | 17.1% of 9,132 | 32.3% of 1,263 | 21.2% of 3,011 | 12.8% of 3,260 | 6.4% of 1,598 |
| Queens | 34.9% of 4,800 | 45.4% of 478 | 47.8% of 1,563 | 35.9% of 1,530 | 13.1% of 1,229 |
| Bronx | 35.3% of 1,631 | 70.0% of 130 | 45.2% of 597 | 33.8% of 557 | 7.8% of 347 |
| Staten Island | 54.9% of 235 | 69.2% of 13 | 100.0% of 57 | 71.4% of 56 | 21.1% of 109 |
NYC apartments first listed September 12 to October 13, 2026, one listing each, classified-board posts left out.
| Borough | 1 bedroom at $3,000 or less | 2 bedrooms at $3,000 or less | Median ask, any size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | 5.6% (294 of 5,229) | 2.9% (95 of 3,259) | $5,293 |
| Brooklyn | 21.2% (639 of 3,011) | 12.8% (416 of 3,260) | $3,975 |
| Queens | 47.8% (747 of 1,563) | 35.9% (549 of 1,530) | $3,450 |
| Bronx | 45.2% (270 of 597) | 33.8% (188 of 557) | $3,234 |
| Staten Island | 100% (57 of 57) | 71.4% (40 of 56) | $3,000 |
Staten Island had only 235 apartments in the sample, so read its shares with care. In Manhattan, studios were the size most often within $3,000: 13.2% (377 of 2,856). The borough guides cover each market in more detail: Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island.
What does a $3,000 NYC apartment look like?
We looked at the 3,691 apartments asking $2,750 to $3,250. Pick a borough to see how the mix changes.
What an apartment asking about $3,000 looks like
Apartments asking $2,750 to $3,250.
| Area | Apartments | Studio | 1 bed | 2 beds | 3+ beds | Median size | Elevator listed | Any laundry listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Five boroughs | 3,691 | 22.0% | 35.2% | 30.3% | 12.5% | 800 sq ft (1,281) | 38.2% | 49.4% |
| Manhattan | 786 | 49.1% | 36.1% | 12.6% | 2.2% | 550 sq ft (191) | 40.4% | 46.4% |
| Brooklyn | 1,405 | 22.9% | 37.7% | 31.6% | 7.8% | 600 sq ft (361) | 35.6% | 54.7% |
| Queens | 967 | 6.2% | 27.8% | 39.1% | 26.9% | 1,000 sq ft (517) | 27.3% | 36.8% |
| Bronx | 488 | 8.8% | 44.5% | 37.5% | 9.2% | 750 sq ft (176) | 64.6% | 64.9% |
| Staten Island | 45 | 4.4% | 0.0% | 33.3% | 62.2% | 1,296 sq ft (36) | 11.8% | 29.4% |
Size: listings that state square feet only (count in brackets). Amenities: share of apartments whose listing has an amenity list.
- Size mix. 35.2% were one-bedrooms, 30.3% two-bedrooms, 22.0% studios and 12.5% three or more bedrooms. In Manhattan, 49.1% were studios (386 of 786). In Queens, 39.1% were two-bedrooms (378 of 967).
- Square feet. 1,281 of the 3,691 listings stated a size. The median was 800 square feet: 434 for studios, 657 for one-bedrooms and 1,000 for two-bedrooms. In Manhattan the median was 550 square feet (191 listings with a size). In Queens it was 1,000 (517).
- Building features. 2,890 of the apartments had an amenity list. 38.2% of those named an elevator, 49.4% named laundry in the unit or the building, and 20.1% named an in-unit washer and dryer. In the Bronx, 64.6% named an elevator. A feature missing from a list may still be there, so ask.
How to stretch a $3,000 budget in NYC
- Check the income rule first. Many NYC landlords ask for a yearly income of 40 times the monthly rent, which is $120,000 for a $3,000 apartment. The 40x rule calculator shows what you qualify for, and the guarantor guide covers the options if you fall short.
- Look one neighborhood over. The explorer above shows big differences between nearby areas. Compare the commute with our commute vs rent formula.
- Ask about free months. In a separate sample, 5.7% of NYC apartments advertised free rent. The listed price is sometimes the net effective rent, not the rent in the lease. See how many NYC apartments come with free months.
- Search for rent-stabilized apartments. Our guide to where to find rent-stabilized apartments explains how to find them.
- Be fast. Apartments under $3,000 are a small share of the market, so set alerts for your budget and neighborhoods and apply quickly.
How we measured NYC rents by budget
Sample. NYC listings that we first collected between September 12 and October 13, 2026, with a five-borough ZIP code (New Jersey listings left out), not a room share, not furnished, and an asking rent from $1,000 to $25,000. We kept one row per apartment, using its latest listing in the window for the price, size and bedrooms: 28,875 apartments, of which 28,616 had a bedroom count. The window starts after a change in the set of sites we collect from on September 11, 2026, so we do not compare it with earlier months.
Classified boards left out. We left out posts on classified boards (8,168 listings in the window). Many of their addresses are not verified, some had the wrong ZIP code, and in a sample we read, some prices were far below the market for the address. Apartments found only on classified boards were 20.2% of all apartments (7,227) but 51.1% of the apartments at $3,000 or less (4,972), so they would change the headline. With them included, the share at $3,000 or less was 27.1% (9,722 of 35,843 apartments): 33.4% of one-bedrooms and 28.2% of two-bedrooms.
Neighborhoods. Each apartment is in the neighborhood that our records assign to its address. 309 apartments had no neighborhood and are only in the city and borough figures. A neighborhood needs at least 30 apartments of a size to appear for that size. Borough comes from the ZIP code.
Size and amenities. Square feet come from the listing, kept from 150 to 5,000 square feet. 40.1% of apartments stated a size. Amenities come from the listing's amenity list. The in-unit washer and dryer rule is the same as in our amenity rent report.
Checks. 11.6% of the apartments had no unit number, so some may stand for more than one apartment in the same building. Counting only apartments with a unit number gave 15.4% at $3,000 or less (25,289 apartments). Counting listings instead of apartments gave 12.3% (68,727 listings): apartments at $3,000 or less had 1.79 listings each on average, against 2.52 for the others.
How this differs from our neighborhood rent pages. Our neighborhood rent pages use rents recorded when apartments were marked rented over the past two years, and the NYC rent data hub uses its own monthly snapshot. This report uses asking rents of new listings over one month, so the medians differ.
Limits. These are asking rents, not signed leases. Some listings show a net-effective price after free months. The analysis queries and full results are kept with the report for reproduction.
$3,000 NYC rent FAQ
What can $3,000 get you in NYC? Of 28,616 NYC apartments listed September 12 to October 13, 2026, 16.5% asked $3,000 or less. At $2,750 to $3,250, 35.2% were one-bedrooms, 30.3% two-bedrooms and 22.0% studios, with a median of 800 square feet where the listing stated a size.
Can you rent a one-bedroom in NYC for $3,000? Yes, in some areas. 19.2% of one-bedrooms in the sample asked $3,000 or less. In Queens it was 47.8% and in the Bronx 45.2%. In Manhattan it was 5.6%. The Manhattan neighborhoods with the highest shares were Inwood, Hamilton Heights, East Harlem and Central Harlem.
What are the cheapest neighborhoods in NYC for a one-bedroom? Among the 71 neighborhoods with at least 30 one-bedrooms in the sample, the highest shares at $3,000 or less were in Kew Gardens (37 of 37), Flushing (84.4%), Woodside (84.4%), East New York (82.7%) and Ditmars-Steinway (77.4%).
Can you rent a two-bedroom in NYC for $3,000? In a few areas. 14.9% of two-bedrooms asked $3,000 or less. The highest shares were in East Flatbush (55.7%), Ocean Hill (51.2%), Flushing (50.0%) and Washington Heights (48.6%). In 29 of 64 neighborhoods, no two-bedroom in the sample did.
Can you rent in Manhattan for $3,000? Rarely. 6.1% of Manhattan apartments in the sample asked $3,000 or less (788 of 12,818). Studios were the most common size in that range: 13.2% of Manhattan studios asked $3,000 or less.
How much do I need to earn to rent a $3,000 apartment in NYC? Many landlords ask for a yearly income of 40 times the monthly rent: $120,000 for $3,000. Some accept a guarantor who earns 80 times the rent instead. Our 40x rule calculator works out the numbers for your rent.
What is the median rent in NYC right now? In this sample of new listings, the median asking rent was $4,250 for any size, $3,690 for a studio, $4,340 for a one-bedroom and $4,800 for a two-bedroom.
👉 Set up RentReboot alerts with your budget and neighborhoods to get new NYC listings as soon as we find them. Check each listing's details with the landlord before you pay anything.