Living in Upper West Side, New York

Monthly rent in USD ($). First-hand contracts come straight from the landlord or housing company. Second-hand contracts are sublets, and they usually cost more.

Within AffordWhere's New York dataset, a one-bedroom here averages about $4,000/month — roughly 11% above the city median, and among the pricier of the 10 areas we track. Two-bedrooms run $4,800 - $5,500/month and three-bedrooms $6,000 - $7,100/month on second-hand contracts. At 15 minutes to the center by metro, it sits about as central as most New York areas in the set. On safety it rates 5/5, among the higher-rated in the city. Based on its rent, commute, and the cultural, parks, family-friendly tags, it may suit families and longer-term renters who want space.

Weighing options? For cheaper rent, see Washington Heights. For a shorter commute, see Downtown Manhattan.

Rent figures reflect official statistics compiled January 2026. See data sources.

OpenStreetMap maps 86th Street as the nearest metro stop, The Urban Assembly School for Green Careers Garden as nearby green space and Key Food as the nearest supermarket around the Upper West Side reference point. A school and a pharmacy are also mapped within walking distance. It also shows a large number of cafés and restaurants mapped within about 700m of that point.

Amenity data from OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License (ODbL). The extracted amenity dataset is published under the same license.

How much is rent in Upper West Side, New York?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Upper West Side costs $3,700 - $4,300/month (second-hand contract) or $3,200 - $3,800/month (first-hand). A 2-bedroom ranges from $4,800 - $5,500/month, and a 3-bedroom from $6,000 - $7,100/month.

Is Upper West Side safe for expats?

Upper West Side has a safety rating of 5/5 (Very Safe) on our scale. That is one of the higher ratings on the 1-5 scale; as always, check specific streets and visit at different times before signing a lease.

How long is the commute from Upper West Side to New York center?

The commute from Upper West Side to New York city center takes approximately 15 minutes by metro.

What is Upper West Side like to live in?

Classic Manhattan living near Central Park and Lincoln Center. Great for families and culture lovers. In our data it is tagged as cultural, parks, family-friendly.