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Navigate apartment hunting and city life like a local with our curated articles about New York City, New York.
National study of renter’s satisfaction with their cities and states
Apartment List has released New York’s results from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters nationwide, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of the country’s 111 million renters.
"New York renters expressed general satisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "Interestingly, ratings for New York vary widely across categories such as public transit, safety, and local taxes."
Key Findings in New York include the following:
Renters say:
For more information on the survey methodology and findings or to speak to one of our researchers, please contact our team at rentonomics@apartmentlist.com.
Gallery-lined streets and the elevated High Line park define Chelsea's distinctive character. The neighborhood features converted warehouses and modern high-rises, many with rooftop decks and impressive amenities. While rental rates rank among Manhattan's highest, Chelsea delivers unbeatable nightlife, dining options, and access to both downtown and midtown employment centers.
Classic New York elegance defines the Upper East Side, where doorman buildings along tree-lined streets provide surprisingly good value compared to trendier downtown neighborhoods. Cultural institutions including the Metropolitan Museum anchor the neighborhood, while Central Park creates unmatched recreational access. Though some areas feel stuffy compared to downtown energy, excellent subway connections on the Q and 4/5/6 lines provide easy access to more dynamic nightlife when desired.
Theater professionals have long known Hell's Kitchen's rental secret – walking distance to Broadway without Midtown prices. The neighborhood's tenement-style buildings often contain surprisingly affordable apartments with pre-war details like picture rails and clawfoot tubs. Unlike the sanitized luxury of nearby Hudson Yards, this remains a real New York neighborhood where bodega cats reign supreme and longtime residents chat on stoops during summer evenings. Most buildings predate elevator requirements, meaning walk-up status keeps prices lower than comparable units in doorman buildings. The neighborhood's restaurant scene reflects its international population, with authentic Thai, Greek, and Ethiopian options within blocks of most rentals. For best value, look west of 9th Avenue rather than along 8th Avenue's commercial corridor – you'll find quieter streets with comparable transit access via the C/E trains connecting directly to midtown offices.
*Based on base prices that don’t include fees