No, you’re not just imagining it–your rent certainly has increased. Now did we think that was possible? Well, on one hand, no, because they’re already so damn high. On the other hand, yes, because this is, after all, New York City. But if it makes you feel any better just know that it’s not just you–rental prices across the city reached a record high of $4,700 this month. Actually, we don’t think that makes us feel any better. Excuse us while we go cry.
Each year, RentHop analyzes the rental prices across all subway stations in the city to discover which areas witnessed the most drastic changes regarding rent. With that they create their NYC Subway Median Rent Map, which highlights the median rent and the year-over-year rent increases of one-bedroom apartments near each subway stop, and the 2025 iteration was just released.
Fair warning: don’t take a look at it if you don’t want to have a bad day.
According to RentHop, the median rent for a New York City apartment is currently $4,700, which is 6.6% higher than this time last year. Not only is it higher than last year, though, it’s also a record high. Moreover, rental prices increased at 87% of subway stations this year–that’s 412 subway stops, to be exact–compared to 84% in 2024.
They pointed out that this rent increase is likely due to NYC’s new congestion pricing program, which caused subway ridership to jump 7% in the first half of 2025. They stated:
As some commuters trade in their car keys for an OMNY card, renters still prioritize their proximity to subway stations..With summer in full swing, those looking for an apartment this season must make the ever-important decision: spend more money or spend more time on the train.
The outer boroughs saw the most dramatic shift as renters look to distance themselves from Manhattan’s perpetual sky-high prices. Rent prices increased the most near stops along the M line (+13.3% at Fresh Pond Rd. and +11.6% at Middle Village – Metropolitan Ave). In Queens, renters saw prices increase along the E, M, and R lines at stops like Steinway St (+14.3%) and 65th Street (+10.7%).
Over all, these outer boroughs–Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx–saw a rent jump of 14% particularly near new buildings. As more renters decide to move instead of signing an expensive lease renewal in Manhattan, developers continue to lease buildings across the outer boroughs, though they also charge rents above the area’s median price. Astoria, Fordham Heights, and Brighton Beach saw the steepest increases.
On the flip side, only 8%, or 40 subway stations, saw rents decrease year over year–16 less than the 56 stations that witnessed decreases in 2024. Specifically, the last three stops along the 4 in the Bronx witnessed rent decreases, as well as along the 6 train. Rents also decreased along the G and L trains throughout Williamsburg. Prices remained the same at 3% of subway stations, including Union Square and along the A train throughout Rockaway Beach.
NYC Subway Stops Where Rent Increased The Most
- Steinway St (E, M, R) – $3,000, +14.29%
- 183rd St (4) – $2,278, +14.19%
- Ocean Pkwy (Q) – $2,800, +14.03%
- Bronx Park East (2, 5) – $2,100, +13.51%
- Kingsbridge Road (4) – $2,350, +13.33%
NYC Subway Stops Where Rent Decreased The Most
- Ave N (F) – $1,900, -5.0%
- Canarsie – Rockaway Pkwy (L) – $2,000, -4.72%
- 170th St (4) – $2,300, -4.17%
- Rockaway Ave (A, C) – $2,590, -3.99%
- Ave P (F) – $2,200, -3.93%
See the full study.