This Bronx neighborhood is officially the cheapest are for rent in NYC right now

New York City may consistently be among the most expensive rental markets in the country, but if you’re strategic (and flexible about your ZIP code), you can still find relative bargains. A new rental analysis highlights 15 neighborhoods across the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and even Manhattan where median rents land far below the citywide norm, proving that “affordable NYC” isn’t a total myth.

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According to the report by Zumper, the city’s median rent currently sits around $4,400, meaning you’d need roughly $176,000 a year to comfortably hit the classic 30% rent-to-income rule. That's pretty rough, and exactly why outer-borough neighborhoods are becoming survival tools for everyone from teachers and nonprofit workers to early-career creatives chasing the New York dream.

Leading the affordability pack is Parkchester in the Bronx, where median rent hovers around $1,800. That's roughly 59% cheaper than the city average. Also near the top are Pelham Bay (about $1,995) and Riverdale (around $2,040), all clustered in the Bronx and offering strong subway access plus dramatically lower monthly costs.

What makes these neighborhoods stand out isn’t just price. Many score extremely high for transit and walkability, meaning you can realistically live car-free while staying connected to Manhattan. 

There’s also serious lifestyle variety here. Inwood offers Manhattan bragging rights at a discount. Flushing rivals Midtown for energy (and arguably beats it for food). Bay Ridge delivers classic Brooklyn neighborhood vibes with waterfront views. Jackson Heights is one of the most culturally diverse communities in the country and its restaurants prove it.

The biggest takeaway? In NYC, affordability isn’t just about finding a cheaper apartment. The right apartment at the right price means picking the right neighborhood. Choose wisely, and you could save $20k to $30k a year in rent while still living the New York life.

Here are the 15 cheapest neighborhoods in NYC right now:

1. Parkchester
2. Pelham Bay
3. Riverdale
4. Kingsbridge
5. Inwood
6. East Elmhurst
7. Briarwood
8. Bay Ridge
9. Kew Gardens Hills
10. Flushing
11. Kew Gardens
12. Kensington
13. Allerton
14. Jackson Heights
15. Glendale