The 10 Best Neighborhoods In New York City For 2022


We used science and data to determine which neighborhoods in New York are the best of the best.

HomeSnacks is reader-supported. When you click through real estate links on our site, we earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

New York City has the best pizza, the best shopping, the best people, and surprisingly, some of the best neighborhoods in America.

If you ask any New Yorker, the will have NO problem telling you that their little corner of the Big Apple is the best. Not to disappoint, but if your neighborhood is not on HomeSnacks' list of the top ten best neighborhoods in New York City for 2022 below, it's probably not the best of the best.

What does it take to be one of the best neighborhoods in New York City? We'll tell you. In order to determine the best, we had to give each neighborhood an actual concrete score: we call this a neighborhood's overall 'Snackability'. To get this score, we looked at the latest census data on income levels, unemployment rates, crime, and home prices for 121 New York City neighborhoods. Incidentally, this is our ninth time ranking New York City's best neighborhoods, so trust us when we say that these are the best of the best.

While New York City can be intimidating with all of its glitz and glamour, there really are places in NYC that can make one feel at home. Heck, if the city can make it's current population of 8.3 million people feel at home, there's a place for you. But, the trick is finding what neighborhood will best suit your lifestyle. So, if you're looking for a neighborhood with some room to move, we recommend Westerleigh-Castleton, if you're into that whole idyllic, Victorian vibe, we recommend Tottensville, and if you're looking for a quaint, family friendly village, you won't go wrong with Greenwich Village.

Want to know more? We recommend that you grab yourself a piping' hot slice of 'za, head to a shady park in Greenwood, and read on as we divulge New York City's best neighborhoods.

The biggest cities in most states do tend to have the most problems; and while New York City does have its fair share of problems and some pretty dangerous neighborhoods, it does have some of the best, most unique, neighborhoods to call home.

So, what's the best neighborhood in New York City for 2022? That would be Carnegie Hill.

To see how your favorite NYC neighborhoods compared, take a look at the list below; and if you don't see it there, head to the bottom.

For more New York reading, check out:

Best Neighborhoods In New York

The 10 Best Neighborhoods To Live In New York

You've probably heard the old joke. Passenger asks the cabbie, "how do you get to Carnegie Hall?" Cabbie responds: "practice."

Well, that's Carnegie Hall, located just south of Central Park. Here, we're talking about Carnegie Hill. For this area, the gag could have a new punchline: "have a lot of money." (Not that living near Carnegie Hall would be a low-price choice.)

The median home price in Carnegie Hill sits above $1.7 million. But you do get value for your money. Great amenities and a location on the eastern border of Central Park. Plus, you'll find loads of cultural landmarks, including the Guggenheim Museum.

Population: 14,743
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $1,741,686 (best)
Median Income: $171,603 (Second best)
More on Carnegie Hill: Homes For Sale | Data

Carnegie Hill New York, NY

A small neighborhood located on the east side of Manhattan, the general Sutton Place neighborhood covers the space between 53rd and 59th streets. On the east, you'll fittingly find the East River. The western boundary is usually considered First Avenue.

This represents one of the most affluent areas of New York. One of these elegant apartments or townhouses will run you a median price of $763,965. Luckily, the median income in the area approaches $150,000 a year.

The area provides excellent access to New York's wide array of amenities. Meanwhile, you've got restaurants and shops scattered throughout the neighborhood, along with Sutton Park for a spot of green amid the cityscape.

Population: 17,279
Rank Last Year: 2 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $763,965 (18th best)
Median Income: $147,814 (Fifth best)
More on North Sutton Area: Homes For Sale | Data

Battery Park is located on the very southern tip of Manhattan. Want to get a good look at either the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island? Well, then, head over to Battery Park.

With such iconic views, it's no wonder this area of the city has become the number 3 best neighborhood in New York for 2022. Residents also find themselves in walking distance of the financial district and other key parts of the city.

Of course, addresses in this section come at a cost. The median home value sits at $754,550. But don't start crying for the folks who have to swing those mortgage payments. The median income for the neighborhood hovers at around $170,000.

Population: 13,570
Rank Last Year: 3 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $754,550 (19th best)
Median Income: $169,476 (Third best)
More on Battery Park: Homes For Sale | Data

This title defines a large section of Manhattan located between Central Park and the East River. It forms one of the more exclusive parts of the city. Residents have their choice of posh shops and restaurants, as well as a host of museums and other cultural touchstones.

The "east" part of the name refers to the fact that it sits on the east side of the island. Upper refers to the fact that it's north of many of the iconic sections of the city - though it's really more in the middle of Manhattan. Go further "up" and you'll find places like Harlem and Washington Heights. Maybe it says something about the residents of this neighborhood that Central Park is about as far "up" as they're willing to go.

Population: 194,024
Rank Last Year: 4 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $916,352 (11th best)
Median Income: $131,996 (Sixth best)
More on Upper East Side: Homes For Sale | Data

Most of the top neighborhoods in New York City sit in Manhattan. That's what most of us think of when we imagine high living in NYC. But don't forget: Manhattan represents just one of the city's five boroughs. There are plenty of gorgeous addresses elsewhere in Gotham.

Take Park Slope as an example. One of the most affluent sections of Brooklyn, it offers great access to amenities like Prospect Park. You'll also benefit from a host of retail and food establishments located around the neighborhood. Plus, get ready for some celebrity sightings!

Unfortunately, you should also prepare to clean out your bank account. The median home price for this part of Brooklyn runs to $951,201.

Population: 77,662
Rank Last Year: 5 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $951,201 (Ninth best)
Median Income: $115,042 (16th best)
More on Park Slope: Homes For Sale | Data

Here's another one of Brooklyn's premier neighborhoods. In fact, a strong economy and abundant amenities make this the number 6 spots to live in New York for 2022.

Cobble Hill is located on the far western side of the borough, near the water and just south of the Brooklyn Bridge. You'll find a host of trendy shops and restaurants along Court Street, in the heart of the neighborhood.

The only major drawback in Cobble Hill comes from its cost of living. A red-hot real estate market leaves the median home price above $1.2 million. That's a steep mortgage, even when median incomes stand at $131,817.

Population: 10,281
Rank Last Year: 6 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $1,258,134 (Third best)
Median Income: $131,817 (Seventh best)
More on Cobble Hill: Homes For Sale | Data

The Upper East Side appears on this list as well. Here's its mirror image. The Upper West Side sits (fittingly enough) on the west side of Central Park, sandwiched between the celebrated park and the Hudson River.

The Upper West Side is one of the most famous posh neighborhoods in the world. It contains such high-end addresses as The Dakota, one-time home (and murder site) of former Beatle John Lennon.

In this area, you'll find pretty much everything an affluent resident would want. This includes such cultural draws as the American Museum of Natural History and the Historical Society. What you won't find: a deal on real estate. The median home value sits at $821,117.

Population: 204,475
Rank Last Year: 7 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $821,117 (16th best)
Median Income: $121,502 (Tenth best)
More on Upper West Side: Homes For Sale | Data

Once the home of artists, beatniks, and folk singers, Greenwich Village has certainly changed demographics since the middle of the 20th century. These days, it's laid aside its scruffy reputation aside to become the number 8 best place to live in New York for 2022.

Located on the west side of Manhattan, it includes Washington Square Park and New York University. It's also home to a myriad of hip clubs and restaurants. (The Stonewall Inn, an important landmark in LGBTQ+ history, called the neighborhood home.)

But, alas, you can't move to The Village now with just a guitar and a dream. You'll also need about $950,000 to afford a home in the area.

Population: 47,962
Rank Last Year: 8 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $951,089 (Tenth best)
Median Income: $121,594 (Ninth best)
More on Greenwich Village: Homes For Sale | Data

Greenwich Village New York, NY

We've toured Manhattan. We've made a few stops in Brooklyn. Time to check in on some other parts of the city. Huguenot represents Statin Island's only example on this list.

Located on the south shore of the island, it gets its name from a French Protestant sect that settled there a couple hundred years ago. Real estate prices have certainly skyrocketed since then. Now, you'll need a median amount of $632,833 to afford a home here. Sacré bleu!

But don't worry about this particular group of Statin Islanders. With a median income of $100,754, there's a good chance they can cobble together that mortgage payment.

Population: 11,608
Rank Last Year: 9 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $632,833 (25th best)
Median Income: $100,754 (23rd best)
More on Huguenot: Homes For Sale | Data

Population: 9,310
Rank Last Year: 11 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $538,175 (37th best)
Median Income: $104,778 (20th best)
More on Woodrow: Homes For Sale | Data

Methodology: How We Determined The Best New York, NY Neighborhoods In 2022

In order to rank the best neighborhoods in New York, we had to determine what criteria defines a "best".

Using crime, census, and extrapolated BLS data, we arrived at the following set of criteria:

  • High incomes
  • Low unemployment rates
  • Low crime
  • High home prices
  • High population densities (A proxy for things to do)

We then ranked each neighborhood with scores from 1 to 121 in each category, where 1 was the best.

Next, we averaged the rankings for each neighborhood to create a best neighborhood index.

And finally, we crowned the neighborhood with the lowest best neighborhood index the "Best City Neighborhood In New York." We're lookin' at you, Carnegie Hill.

Read on below to learn more about what it's like to live in the best places New York, New York has to offer. Or skip to the end to see the list of all the neighborhoods in the city from best to worst.

Summary: Putting A Bow On Our Analysis Of The Best Neighborhoods In New York

If you're measuring the neighborhoods in New York where crime is low and everyone wants to live, this is an accurate list.

As we mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in New York aren't all good. Hunts Point takes the title of the worst neighborhood to live in New York.

We ranked the neighborhoods from best to worst in the chart below.

For more New York reading, check out:

Best Neighborhoods To Live In New York For 2022 Detailed Data

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value Median Income
1 Carnegie Hill 14,743 $1,741,686 $171,603
2 North Sutton Area 17,279 $763,965 $147,814
3 Battery Park 13,570 $754,550 $169,476
4 Upper East Side 194,024 $916,352 $131,996
5 Park Slope 77,662 $951,201 $115,042
6 Cobble Hill 10,281 $1,258,134 $131,817
7 Upper West Side 204,475 $821,117 $121,502
8 Greenwich Village 47,962 $951,089 $121,594
9 Huguenot 11,608 $632,833 $100,754
10 Woodrow 9,310 $538,175 $104,778
11 Financial District 31,087 $957,860 $158,605
12 Downtown 11,972 $765,956 $110,356
13 Prince's Bay 8,501 $554,529 $95,068
14 Todt Hill 17,577 $617,667 $93,023
15 Murray Hill 25,332 $650,646 $117,763
16 Tribeca 16,173 $1,501,667 $186,416
17 Garment District 4,769 $485,571 $120,573
18 Whitestone 81 $858,000 $86,250
19 Gramercy 87,783 $505,980 $111,522
20 Rossville 10,650 $484,917 $86,343
21 Morningside Heights 39,804 $448,387 $77,589
22 Little Italy 9,408 $831,964 $91,061
23 Soho 12,909 $1,084,884 $126,708
24 Central Park 2,162 $1,015,795 $101,158
25 Borough Park 155,256 $707,817 $44,528
26 Chelsea 60,915 $858,245 $112,319
27 Annandale 9,989 $523,892 $95,729
28 Midtown 62,515 $719,059 $116,728
29 Clearview 28,704 $555,508 $81,878
30 Carroll Gardens 25,576 $1,045,698 $115,860
31 Queensboro Hill 75,376 $521,976 $57,190
32 Charlestown-Richmond Valley 1,829 $565,767 $82,504
33 West Village 22,307 $889,319 $117,237
34 Westerleigh-Castleton 29,688 $449,604 $85,305
35 Spuyten Duyvil 14,641 $346,294 $92,579
36 Forest Hills 110,212 $444,362 $73,556
37 Ardon Heights 23,582 $408,846 $87,757
38 Douglastown-Little Neck 82,321 $518,824 $83,053
39 Auburndale 38,856 $571,353 $73,129
40 Rosebank 404 $427,800 $82,109
41 Middle Village 37,029 $538,043 $76,088
42 Boerum Hill 22,666 $977,361 $104,198
43 Dyker Heights 41,520 $719,727 $64,341
44 Bensonhurst 115,043 $592,801 $53,204
45 Ettingville 34,729 $458,711 $87,429
46 Bay Ridge 77,029 $631,372 $64,284
47 Mapleton-Flatlands 206,460 $610,874 $56,352
48 South Beach 27,404 $420,253 $80,005
49 Great Kills 17,149 $404,414 $92,004
50 Midland Beach 21,674 $419,240 $82,585
51 Gravesend-Sheepshead Bay 255,533 $545,099 $58,223
52 Greenwood 17,838 $623,373 $76,603
53 Oakwood 26,947 $387,661 $83,626
54 Chinatown 10,742 $482,185 $69,168
55 Richmondtown 38,728 $481,561 $79,373
56 Utopia 87,853 $507,017 $71,438
57 Clinton 33,065 $440,668 $90,686
58 Fort Green 120,941 $663,709 $71,767
59 Woodhaven-Richmond Hill 121,346 $461,136 $62,501
60 Laurelton 45,771 $388,498 $85,256
61 Ridgewood 78,633 $428,957 $58,599
62 Sunset Park 106,699 $583,673 $43,202
63 Sunny Side 60,580 $410,644 $67,936
64 Woodside 52,454 $415,645 $53,882
65 City Island 3,527 $478,025 $84,445
66 Maspeth 31,365 $529,295 $61,497
67 Riverdale 27,645 $358,962 $86,341
68 East Village 64,040 $316,136 $70,370
69 Baychester 24,338 $417,404 $69,222
70 Nkew Gardens 90,685 $376,981 $67,182
71 Glendale 34,313 $449,020 $69,037
72 Jackson Heights 130,565 $394,683 $52,815
73 Tottensville 15,609 $399,725 $78,173
74 Queens Village 58,979 $410,906 $73,128
75 Canarsie 147,157 $445,675 $69,844
76 Mariners Harbor 33,993 $316,042 $70,893
77 Bloomfield-Chelsea-Travis 10,884 $374,558 $75,810
78 Saintalbans 73,668 $395,594 $71,773
79 Astoria-Long Island City 126,283 $397,118 $57,906
80 Corona 368 $516,150 $49,118
81 Throggs Neck 40,546 $356,028 $73,315
82 Flushing 81,947 $423,546 $47,960
83 Springfield Gardens 40,129 $337,841 $68,252
84 Port Richmond 16,779 $319,659 $55,390
85 Bedford-Stuyvesant 234,457 $467,116 $44,779
86 Williamsburg 133,674 $357,174 $53,643
87 New Brighton 47,378 $328,144 $68,125
88 Hamilton Heights 68,351 $125,019 $43,433
89 Yorkville 56,751 $330,640 $46,148
90 Lower East Side 84,794 $208,014 $49,246
91 Washington Heights 174,779 $93,493 $46,288
92 The Rockaways 119,512 $297,562 $63,514
93 Howland Hook 3,871 $157,420 $64,184
94 Country Club 52,418 $244,659 $61,099
95 Clifton 23,109 $338,353 $60,148
96 Harlem 144,705 $321,025 $46,218
97 Inwood 50,749 $187,272 $47,582
98 Eastchester 19,282 $295,090 $69,654
99 Jamaica 147,527 $364,635 $57,389
100 Steinway 55 $335,250 $62,031
101 Bushwick 125,346 $340,935 $45,238
102 East Harlem 51,347 $204,443 $32,744
103 Kings Bridge 36,668 $127,395 $54,734
104 Morris Park 40,356 $334,795 $57,355
105 Parkchester 78,551 $223,630 $48,567
106 Wakefield-Williamsbridge 108,756 $330,776 $51,245
107 Morris Heights 60,047 $70,778 $26,278
108 Union Port 39,750 $285,142 $47,945
109 East Brooklyn 147,562 $354,964 $40,728
110 University Heights 51,091 $53,827 $32,542
111 Williams Bridge 56,005 $239,389 $43,368
112 South Bronx 212,530 $125,828 $28,038
113 Soundview 99,574 $198,512 $35,677
114 Brownsville 114,519 $276,505 $43,390
115 Bedford Park 91,627 $59,843 $38,675
116 High Bridge 77,016 $40,602 $28,626
117 Woodlawn-Nordwood 10,349 $230,318 $63,730
118 Fordham 64,594 $62,184 $29,604
119 Tremont 106,094 $91,264 $26,821
120 Mott Haven 70,301 $64,148 $24,839
121 Hunts Point 22,864 $73,592 $26,421

Editor's Note: We updated this article for 2022. This is our ninth time ranking the best neighborhoods to live in New York.

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.