While Manhattan has been the undisputed champion in housing interests, over the past couple of years Brooklyn has given it a run for its money. Namely, the latter has turned into one of the hottest, trendiest spots in the entire city. This has caused a noticeable influx of young families, professionals, and artists to take up residence in Brooklyn’s neighborhoods. Still, that is not to say that professional movers Manhattan has have been out of business. As a matter of fact, the difference between Manhattan housing vs Brooklyn housing has become much less noticeable in the past years. That being said, there are still distinct nuances that give both of these boroughs their unique identity. Which one is better for you? Let’s find out.
Costs of living in Manhattan housing compared to Brooklyn housing
Before you pack your bags and call local movers NYC residents most often turn to, let’s address the financial aspect of your relocation. That is to say, let us see what both of these boroughs offer in terms of monthly bills, as well as housing costs. A quick heads up that will be helpful in both cases – costs of living in New York City are as follow:
- overall – New York is more expensive than the US average by 20%
- grocery and health costs – a bit higher than the national average, no more than 5%
- housing – 30% higher than the US average, with the median home cost being $305,400
- utilities and transportation – the former is 15% above the average, while transportation stands out the most with a 40% higher cost
What will it cost you to live in Manhattan
To say that living in Manhattan will cost you a pretty penny could be considered a definition of an understatement. New York is the most expensive city to live in when it comes to the US, and Manhattan is the biggest contributor to this statistic. Let us illustrate this further:
- overall costs of living in Manhattan are a whopping 158% higher than the national average. Let that sink in.
- grocery and health costs – the former is 20% higher, and the latter 9%
- housing – we truly hope that you are sitting down whilst reading this since the median home cost in Manhattan amounts to $1,202,300. Yes, that is the number, over 5 times higher than the US average.
- utilities and transportation – both are 50% higher
The one good thing about all these staggering prices is that Manhattan moving services don’t have to be so pricey. With the right company, you will find the relocation at least to be more than affordable.
The price of living in Brooklyn
When comparing Manhattan housing vs Brooklyn housing prices, let us spoil the result right away, and say that the latter will take the win on this one. Living in Brooklyn will cost you:
- overall – Brooklyn is 100% more expensive for living than the US average shows
- grocery and health costs – 17% and 12% higher, respectively
- housing – being 3,3 times more expensive than the national average, the median home cost in Brooklyn amounts to $765,100
- utilities and transportation – 20% and 92,6% higher, respectively
Considering renting?
The average rent price you will have to pay for an apartment in Brooklyn is $2,665. The average rent for a loft in Manhattan is $4,091. And let’s not forget that most people are looking for apartments below the average rent. With this in mind, it is crucial that you compare the rent prices from various neighborhoods in these two boroughs. Although the get is getting smaller, consider Manhattan to be more expensive for living overall.
Manhattan housing vs Brooklyn housing in terms of everyday living
Right of the bat, it is clear that Manhattan is what makes New York so famous: towering skyscrapers, flashing neon lights, that contagious, fast-paced energy. It can truly be an incredible life experience to live in this incredibly dynamic borough. Still, you would also have to get used to hoards of people. In addition, many of them are actually tourists, and out-of-towners, making it more challenging to establish meaningful connections.
On the other hand, if you find yourself yearning for more of a suburban feel, Brooklyn would be the better choice. The sense of community is almost palpable here, and the neighborhoods are more tightly-knit. And whenever you feel an itch for more diversity in your life, Manhattan is not that far away.
Food and attractions
You will find some of the most prestigious culinary establishments in the world on Manhattan streets. All of you foodies out there will have a great opportunity to witness firsthand some of the most innovative cuisines in modern gastronomy, should you choose this borough as your home.
While it is true that Brooklyn has its fair share of world-class restaurants, the neighborhoods here are mostly centered around foodie attractions. For example, you have Smorgasburg as the largest weekly open-air market in America. Mind you, it attracts 20,000-30,000 people to Brooklyn each weekend. DeKalb Market Hall is another destination food lovers like to pay a visit to. It is a 60,000 square foot food hall with 40 vendors. Some of them are classics, other newcomers, and some are extremely trendy Brooklyn eateries.
When it comes to attractions, one can hardly claim to know a better place other than Manhattan. From the Empire State Building to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to the shows on and off Broadway, you will hardly catch a dull Saturday evening. The only downside is that others know about the quality of these establishments, resulting in plenty of tourists who don’t know their way around the city. The way to have the best of both worlds would probably be settling down in Brooklyn. It is but a mere 10-minute subway ride away from the insanity of Midtown and all its amenities. Not to mention that it also has its own attractions, one of which includes Cyclone in Luna Park on Brooklyn’s Coney Island.
The people
Probably one of the most important things to take into consideration when sizing Manhattan housing vs Brooklyn housing is the type of people you will be seeing every day. Without any sugarcoating, Manhattan has an almost depressing level of wealth inequality. This means that you will be brushing shoulders with Wall Street brokers who live totally different lives from the vast majority of us. It is true when they say that Manhattan is where the 1% survive and thrive. The rest? Well… If you would rather spend your time surrounded by people who are artists, creators, small-business owners, and entrepreneurs, Brookly is the place to head to.
The final verdict of Manhattan housing vs Brooklyn housing
Sorry to say, but you will have to be the judge here. When comparing Manhattan housing vs Brooklyn housing, it is easy to see that both have plenty of pros, and no lack of cons. It all comes down to your personal preferences, financial possibilities, and overall aspirations. Make sure to way your options carefully, and keep in mind that there is no great mistake here, as you can always call your movers, and relocate to another place, should you find yourself unsatisfied with your choice.