MAPS: Where to Find the Best Studio Rental Bargains Right Now

February 18, 2016

Last week we took a look at the lowest priced studio condominiums in Manhattan and northern Brooklyn. Now, here’s a glance at the lowest priced rental studio units currently on the market. More than 60 percent of city-dwellers are renters—that’s more than double the national average. And with the rental vacancy rate hovering around three percent, it’s no surprise NYC is among the most expensive places to rent in the country.

The most affordable neighborhood in Manhattan or northern Brooklyn to find a studio rental apartment is Bedford-Stuyvesant, where the median rent is $1,422 per month. Bed-Stuy is then closely followed by Crown Heights and Harlem, with median rents of $1,550 per month. The most expensive neighborhoods to rent in are NoLiTa ($3,848), the Lower East Side ($3,489), and TriBeCa ($3,465). Below you’ll find a list of ten of the best individual studio deals on the market right now, and a map showing the studios priced farthest below their neighborhood medians. But move fast because these deals tend to disappear very quickly!

Studio Rentals Priced Furthest Below Their Neighborhood Medians

Median Price Per Month of Studio Rentals in Manhattan and Northern Brooklyn

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Lincoln Center
Neighborhood median rental price for a studio apartment: $3,350 per month
137 West 69th Street, #1: $1,350 per month
45 percent below the neighborhood median

This first level studio is located steps from Lincoln Center and Central Park. Situated within a charming turn-of-the-century brownstone, this apartment features high ceilings and skim coated walls. The building is near several train lines and Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods supermarkets. All new tenants are provided with the use of Abigail Michaels concierge services at no charge. See the full listing >>

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Lower East Side
Neighborhood median rental price for a studio apartment: $3,489 per month
123 Ludlow Street, #27: $2,049 per month
41 percent below the neighborhood median

This alcove studio located in the one of the liveliest neighborhood in the city is finished with an exposed brick and pristine hardwood floors, high ceilings, large windows, and lots of closet space. The unit is within a five-level walk up and within a convenient walk to many of the Lower East Side nightlife venues, the Essex Street Market, and Spitzer’s Corner gastropub. See the full listing >>

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Riverside Drive / West End Avenue
Neighborhood median rental price for a studio apartment: $2,635 per month
302 West 76th Street, Unit 3D: $1,600 per month
39 percent below the neighborhood median

This recently renovated compact studio is located along a tree-lined and landmarked street on the Upper West Side and features light-bathed southern exposures and elevator access. The leafy necklace of Riverside Park is less than a block away and amenities such as the Amercian Museum of Natural History and Central Park are a short walk away. See the full listing >>

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West Village
Neighborhood median rental price for a studio apartment: $3,395 per month
318 West 14th Street, 1A: $2200 per month
35 percent below the neighborhood median

At the nexus of the city’s most cherished neighborhood, this renovated studio is located at the crossroads of the Meatpacking District, Chelsea, and the West Village. The apartment is located within a co-op building and features a dishwasher, oven and refrigerator. Multiple exposures and plenty of shelf storage are provided. See the full listing >>

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Williamsburg
Neighborhood median rental price for a studio apartment: $2,738 per month
99 Kingsland Avenue, #301: $1,800 per month
34 percent below the neighborhood median

This large studio located on the third floor of a recently finished building in East Williamsburg comes equipped with an open kitchen furnished with modern appliances and lots of counter space. Even better, the unit features a balcony and is bathed with natural sunlight. The building is close to the L and G trains, restaurants, and nightlife. Pets are not allowed in the building but there is an outdoor patio and roof deck. See the full listing >>

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Carnegie Hill
Neighborhood median rental price for a studio apartment: $2,488 per month
160 East 91st Street, #5J: $1,650 per month
34 percent below the neighborhood median

This classic Carnegie Hill studio is perched on the fifth floor of a pre-war building with with a part-time doorman and elevators. The renovated kitchen is adorned with cherry wood cabinetry and an updated bathroom. The unit also has nine-foot ceilings, built-in air conditioning, hardwood floors and multiple exposures. See the full listing >>

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Midtown West
Neighborhood median rental price for a studio apartment: $2,855 per month
36 West 35th Street, #5C: $1,895 per month
34 percent below the neighborhood median

Positioned in the heart of Manhattan near Fifth Avenue and Herald Square, this newly-renovated, fully-furnished pre-war studio is located in the former Oakdale Hotel, which was converted to an elevatored co-ops in 1988. This cozy unit has an exposed brick living and sleeping area with a fireplace. Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, and Herald Square’s numerous transit options at are nearby. See the full listing >>

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Chelsea
Neighborhood median rental price for a studio apartment: $2,700 per month
103 West 27th Street, #2FL: $1,800 per month
33 percent below the neighborhood median

While we have no images of what this unit actually looks like, this renovated studio near the intersection of 27th and Sixth Avenue is located near the Fashion Institute of Technology, Madison Square Garden, and the offices of the Garment District. Penn Station and numerous subway lines are close by. See the full listing >>

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Clinton Hill
Neighborhood median rental price for a studio apartment: $2,475 per month
189 Lefferts Place, #4F: $1,650 per month
33 percent below the neighborhood median

This beautifully renovated no-fee studio apartment is located along the border of the architecturally rich neighborhoods of Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy, and is close to countless restaurants and shops on Fulton, Franklin, and Bedford Avenues. Said to be “the perfect starter home,” the unit gets plenty of natural light, features an exposed brick fireplace, and free FiOS WiFi is available. See the full listing >>

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Murray Hill
Neighborhood median rental price for a studio apartment: $2,700 per month
143 East 30th Street, #4F: $1,650 per month
33 percent below the neighborhood median

This cozy and efficient studio in Murray Hill comes with modern appliances, free basic cable and wifi. The prime location in the heart of Manhattan is surrounded by an endless supply of restaurant and nightlife options. See the full listing >>

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