New York City continues to hold the crown as the most expensive rental market in the United States, with a staggering 39 ZIP codes ranking among the top 100 priciest in the nation, according to a new report from RentHop. The city’s stronghold in high-priced real estate, particularly in Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, reflects an ongoing trend of rising rents driven by demand, location desirability, and luxury development projects.
Read the full report here: QNS.com Article
Manhattan Leads the Pack
Out of the 39 New York City ZIP codes featured in RentHop’s list, a dominant 30 are located in Manhattan—long regarded as the epicenter of premium urban living. Notably, Tribeca (10007) and Battery Park City (10282) have emerged as the top contenders not just in New York, but nationwide:
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Tribeca (10007) boasts a median rent of $6,080 for a one-bedroom and $9,070 for a two-bedroom, climbing to #5 on the national list.
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Battery Park City (10282) closely follows with $6,000 for a one-bedroom and $8,800 for a two-bedroom, now ranked #6 in the U.S.
These figures mark a notable jump from the previous year’s rankings, indicating that luxury neighborhoods in Lower Manhattan continue to attract affluent renters despite economic fluctuations.
Brooklyn’s Upscale Enclaves Rising
Brooklyn is also making its presence felt with eight ZIP codes on the list. Areas like Williamsburg (11249), Greenpoint (11222), and Boerum Hill (11217) are leading the borough’s upscale rental market.
This trend is largely attributed to the surge in high-end development projects, renovated historic brownstones, and boutique apartment buildings that offer amenities such as rooftop terraces, private gyms, and co-working lounges. Proximity to Manhattan via public transit also enhances the appeal, especially among young professionals and creatives.
Queens Makes a Strong Debut
Queens, traditionally known for its relative affordability compared to Manhattan and Brooklyn, has carved out a place in the rankings with one standout ZIP code: 11109, located in Hunters Point, Long Island City.
This vibrant waterfront neighborhood has rapidly transformed into a luxury hub thanks to sleek high-rises, green parks, and direct access to Midtown Manhattan. The report cites median rents of $4,180 for one-bedroom units and $6,157 for two-bedroom units, reflecting a shift in perception as LIC continues to draw high-income tenants.
The Bigger Picture: New York vs. the Nation
New York State as a whole claims 44 ZIP codes on the top 100 list, making it the most represented state. The remaining five high-cost ZIP codes are located outside NYC.
Trailing behind New York are:
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California with 28 entries, primarily from tech-heavy and coastal cities like San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Santa Monica.
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Florida follows with 15, largely from booming areas like Miami and West Palm Beach.
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Other states represented include Massachusetts (5), Colorado (3), New Jersey (2), and one each from Nevada, Texas, and Connecticut.
Interestingly, this year’s rankings reflect a more diversified national landscape compared to the 2023 list, which had a stronger concentration of high-cost ZIP codes in fewer states.
What This Means for Renters and Investors
The report highlights the ongoing demand for urban living in NYC’s most coveted neighborhoods, despite challenges like inflation, remote work shifts, and changing migration patterns. For renters, this reinforces the reality that premium city living comes with a high price tag—especially in areas with luxury amenities and prime locations.
For investors and developers, the data underscores the importance of targeting high-demand ZIP codes where rental yields and property values continue to climb.
As 2025 approaches, it’s clear that New York City isn’t slowing down when it comes to commanding top-tier rental prices—and with continued development and gentrification across all five boroughs, we may only see more NYC ZIP codes entering next year’s list.
Source: QNS.com – NYC Has the Largest Number of ZIP Codes on Most Expensive List, Report Says