Summer is the peak season to rent an apartment, and rental prices across the city reached a record high of $4,700 this month. Each year, RentHop analyzes the rental prices across all subway stations in the MTA to discover which areas witnessed the most drastic changes. As renters flock to the outer boroughs to evade Manhattan’s consistently high pricing, developers follow suit. New buildings across parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx increased rents near subway stations this year.
NYC’s new congestion pricing impacted travel patterns this year, as subway ridership increased 7% in the first half of 2025. As some commuters trade in their car keys for an OMNY card, renters still prioritize their proximity to subway stations. Tenants continue to pay high rent prices, and those who decide not to renew a lease this year will still face an expensive and competitive market. With summer in full swing, those looking for an apartment this season must make the ever-important decision: spend more money or spend more time on the train.
Key Findings:
- The median rent for a New York City apartment is currently $4,700, 6.6% higher than this time last year. The median one-bedroom rent is $4,472, 5.3% higher than last year.
- Rental prices increased at 87% of subway stations this year, higher than the 84% of increases in 2024.
- 8%, or 40 subway stations, saw rents decrease year over year. That’s less than the 56 stations that witnessed decreases in 2024.
- Rental prices remained the same at 3% of stations, including busy Manhattan stops like Union Square.
- Rents decreased along the 4 and 6 trains in the Bronx and throughout Williamsburg along the G and L trains.
- New developments and renovations still increased rental prices in outer neighborhoods across Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and even uptown Manhattan.
2025 NYC Subway Median Rent Map with YoY Price Fluctuations
The map below highlights MTA subway stops that experienced significant year-over-year price fluctuations. Rent prices increased throughout the outer boroughs off stops along the M line (+13.3% at Fresh Pond Rd. and +11.6% at Middle Village – Metropolitan Ave). In Queens, renters saw prices increase along the E, M, and R lines at stops like Steinway St (+14.3%) and 65th Street (+10.7%).
Rents Increased at 87% of Subway Stations from 2024 to 2025
Rents increased at 412 stops this year. That’s 87% of all surveyed subway stations. From 2024 to 2025, more stations experienced rent increases compared to 2023 to 2024 (84% of stops).
Rental prices decreased at 40 subway stations, which is 8% of the stations. The last three stops along the 4 in the Bronx witnessed rent decreases, and rents also decreased throughout the borough along the 6 train. Rents also decreased along the G and L trains in Brooklyn throughout Williamsburg.
Rental prices remained the same at 3% of subway stations, including Union Square. Prices largely remained the same along the A train throughout Rockaway Beach.
New Developments Continue to Impact Rent Prices
As more renters decide to move instead of signing an expensive lease renewal in Manhattan, developers continue to lease buildings across the outer boroughs. New developments throughout the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn attracted renters this year, but they also charge rents above the area’s median price.
New Construction Means Higher Rents in the Outer Boroughs
Developers who started on new buildings prior to the 421a Exemption point still have until June 15, 2026 to complete their projects. From 2024 to 2025, numerous new developments began leasing attractive rental units with rent prices above their neighborhood’s median rent. Neighborhoods throughout the outer boroughs watched as their rents increased, sometimes up to 14%. Rents will likely continue to increase due to new developments through 2026, and developers now have the opportunity to file for an extension through 2031.
Rents increased most drastically along the E, M, and R trains at Steinway Street in Queens. As Astoria grows more attractive to renters, developers continue to construct luxury buildings with high rents. Leasing opened toward the end of 2024 for Hearthstone, a 13-story building where one-bedroom apartments lease for $4,000. The median rent for the area increased by 14.29% since last year, now coming in at $3,000.
Renters off the 4 train at 183rd Street in Fordham Heights also watched prices climb this year. Rents increased by 14.19% to $2,278. Multiple new developments contributed to the area’s drastic price bump, including Inwood Living and Miramar. While both developments reside in Inwood in Manhattan, their proximity to 183rd Street impacts pricing in the Bronx.
New developments also impacted pricing throughout Brooklyn at Brighton Beach. A new high-rise building, 1515 Surf, blends modern amenities with beach access while also increasing pricing in the area. A one-bedroom apartment in this new building goes for $3,100, which contributed to the rising median rent of $2,800.
Lower Inventory Affected Rents Along the 6 Train
Lower inventory levels in the Bronx affected the median rents across the 6 train. The Castle Hill Ave stop in the Bronx saw rents increase 10.61% to $1,825 this year. While the area did not welcome new developments, there was a dip in availability. Additionally, renovated units hit the market, increasing the rents for available inventory in the area.
Low inventory also contributed to higher rent prices along Middletown Rd and St. Lawrence Ave. When renters have fewer options to choose from, property owners can justify raising their rents. Additionally, as more owners renovate their units, they can also charge a premium for updated appliances or access to building amenities.
Median 1BR Rents at Major NYC Subway Hubs
- Union Sq – 14 St (N-Q-R-W) – $5,200, YoY +2.97%
- Union Sq – 14 St (4-5-6-6 Express) – $4,850, +3.19%
- Times Sq – 42 St (1-2-3) – $4,629, +2.98%
- Times Sq – 42 St (N-Q-R-W) – $4,797, +4.44%
- Grand Central – 42nd St (4-5-6-6 Express) – $4,500, +2.86%
- Grand Central – 42nd St (7-7 Express) – $4,756, +8.09%
- West 4th St (B-D-F-M) – $5,017, +7.88%
- West 4th St (A-C-E) – $5,017, +6.85%
- Herald Sq – 34 St (B-D-F-M) – $4,878, +4.89%
- Herald Sq – 34 St (N-Q-R-W) – $4,995, +7.53%
- Fulton St (2-3) – $4,828, +2.82%
- Fulton St (4-5) – $4,799, +4.33%
- Fulton St (A-C) – $4,800, +3.23%
- Fulton St (J-Z) – $4,800, +3.58%
- Jay St – Metro Tech (A-C-F) – $4,345, +2.22%
- Atlantic Ave – Barclays Center (2-3-4-5) – $4,395, +2.21%
- Atlantic Ave – Barclays Center (B-Q) – $4,395, +2.21%
- Atlantic Ave – Barclays Center (D-N-Q-R) – $4,380, +2.46%
- Broadway Junction (J-Z) – $2,700, +0.19%
- Broadway Junction (A-C) – $2,650, -0.84%
- Jackson Heights – Roosevelt Av (E-F-M-R) – $2,495, +6.17%
- 74 St – Broadway (7) – $2,448, +2.19%
Rents Spiked at These Stops
- Steinway St (E-M-R) – $3,000, +14.29%
- 183rd St (4) – $2,278, +14.19%
- Ocean Pkwy (Q) – $2,800, +14.03%
- Bronx Park East (2-5) – $2,100, +13.51%
- Kingsbridge Road (4) – $2,350, +13.33%
These Stops Experienced Decreases in Median Rents for 1BR Apartments
- Ave N (F) – $1,900, -5.0%
- Canarsie – Rockaway Pkwy (L) – $2,000, -4.72%
- 170th St (4) – $2,300, -4.17%
- Rockaway Ave (A-C) – $2,590, -3.99%
- Ave P (F) – $2,200, -3.93%
Methodology
To calculate the median net effective asking rents for the map above, we used RentHop’s rental data for long-term, unfurnished one-bedroom apartments from February 1 through April 30, 2024 & 2025, MTA Lines and Stops data, and GIS data for subway stops compiled by CUNY – Baruch College and NYC Open Data. To get accurate prices near the subway stops, we looked at least 20 non-duplicated rental listings within 800 meters (0.5 miles) of a subway stop and then calculated the median rents. If there were less than 20 non-duplicated listings. If not, the radius from the stop was increased to up to 2,000 meters (1.2 miles), and the data were resampled to ensure enough unique listings were used when calculating the median.
