Got wheels? You’re not alone. Nearly 45% of New York City households own a car — and 24% of Manhattanites. But since Covid-19, interest in the best places to live in NYC with a carhas skyrocketed. “Parking was always in demand, but lately, I see it come up often during showings,” says Senad Ahmetovic, licensed associate real estate broker for Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales. “People feel the need for more mobility. They don’t want to rely on public transportation.”
Renting a parking spot is extra pricey right now, according to several experts. And access to private parking has an outsized premium. It may ease as the worst of the pandemic passes, or if rental prices fall again. The average monthly reservation cost across New York to reserve parking is $570.
To find the best places to live in NYC with a car, StreetEasy went under the hood. We reviewed various data (including statistics found on SpotHero, a digital parking marketplace) to find the most parking facilities. Are you looking for convenient street parking? That can be tougher than finding a rent-controlled apartment. But then again, you never know when you will get lucky!
The skyline in Midtown, Manhattan, a neighborhood known for its many parking garages. (From a listing: 400 Fifth Avenue #37G)
It’s probably no surprise that Midtown, Manhattan is one of the best places to live in NYC with a car. After all, it’s full of office buildings, theaters, and restaurants where commuters and tourists need to park their wheels. And it’s home to the center of it all, Times Square.
Median asking rent for Midtown West: $4,000 as of December 2021.
Median asking rent for Midtown East: $3,995 for the same period
Midtown Rentals Under $3000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Midtown
150 West 47th Street
$2,600No Fee
Studio |
1
Hell’s Kitchen
543 West 49th Street
$2,300No Fee
1 |
1
Murray Hill
5 Tudor City Place
$2,400No Fee
Studio |
1
Murray Hill
320 East 42nd Street
$2,500No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Yards
445 West 36th Street
$2,395No Fee
Studio |
1
Murray Hill
250 East 39th Street
$3,000No Fee
Studio |
1
Hell’s Kitchen
360 West 46th Street
$2,245No Fee
Studio |
1
Hell’s Kitchen
325 West 51st Street
$2,995No Fee
Studio |
1
Hell’s Kitchen
355 West 51st Street
$2,700No Fee
1 |
1
Turtle Bay
346 East 49th Street
$2,795No Fee
1 |
1
Hell’s Kitchen
400 West 45th Street
$2,400No Fee
Studio |
1
Midtown
140 West 46th Street
$2,500No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper East Side, Manhattan: 159 Parking Facilities & Reasonable Rents
The Upper East Side offers affordable rentals and more than 150 parking facilities. (From a listing: 170 East 87th Street #E9F)
Sure, the Upper East Side is famous for museums and restaurants alike. But did you know it’s also one of the best places to live in NYC with a car? It has a ton of parking garages. Plus handy parking proximity to shopping on Madison Avenue.
Amenities for car-owners: Three gas stations, no car washes, and 17 electric vehicle charging stations.
Median asking rent: $3,300 as of December 2021 — below the borough’s median of $3,500, and the lowest on this list.
Upper East Side Rentals Under $3000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Lenox Hill
415 East 64th Street
$2,350No Fee
Studio |
1
Lenox Hill
416 East 65th Street
$2,995No Fee
1 |
1
Yorkville
455 East 86th Street
$2,800No Fee
Studio |
1
Yorkville
1582 York Avenue
$2,595No Fee
Studio |
1
Lenox Hill
1372 First Avenue
$2,143No Fee
1 |
1
Yorkville
300 East 82nd Street
$3,000No Fee
2 |
1
Yorkville
519 East 81st Street
$2,700No Fee
1 |
1
Yorkville
252 East 89th Street
$2,600No Fee
Studio |
1
Yorkville
535 East 87th Street
$2,700No Fee
1 |
1
Lenox Hill
416 East 78th Street
$2,495No Fee
Studio |
1
Lenox Hill
1494 Second Avenue
$2,450No Fee
Studio |
1
Yorkville
301 East 84th Street
$2,600No Fee
Studio |
1
Chelsea, Manhattan: 44 Parking Facilities & Low Car Ownership
Chelsea is a popular area known for its art galleries, restaurants, green spaces, and easy access to paid parking. (Getty Images)
Famous for its airy art galleries and The High Line, Chelsea is also excellent for parking. The Lincoln Tunnel lets out in Chelsea. It’s also one of the best places to live in NYC with a car because it has one of the lowest rates of car ownership in town. Translation? More parking spots for you.
Amenities for car-owners: We didn’t spot any gas stations, but you will find two electric vehicle charging stations. Also, there’s one car wash.
Median asking rent: $4,650 as of December 2021.
Chelsea Rentals Under $3000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
If you’re lucky you could score a spot on the street in Gramercy Park. (From a listing at: 332 East 18th Street)
The lush, leafy qualities of the Gramercy Park and Stuy Town neighborhoods don’t mean they’re anti-car. Quite the opposite. This is one of the best neighborhoods in NYC to own a car. (Note the numerous underground parking lots to satisfy so many apartment dwellers in one place).
Amenities for car-owners: One gas station and four electric vehicle charging stations.
Median asking rent: $4,445 as of December 2021 for Gramercy Park. $4,685 for Stuy Town.
Gramercy Park Rentals Under $3000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
The Financial District offers a nice mix of prewar buildings and new construction. (From a listing: 66 Pearl Street)
Money talks. The Financial District is one of the best places to live in NYC with a car, with 37 parking facilities tucked in its historic streets. Note: there is no street parking in the financial district from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Another good to know, when it comes to rentals, you will find a broad assortment in both new and old buildings. Many prewar units are newly remodeled.
Amenities for car-owners: We didn’t find any gas stations or car washes, but there are eight electric vehicle charging stations ready to give your ride a buzz.
Median asking rent: $4,450 as of December 2021.
Financial District Rentals Under $3000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Fulton/Seaport
88 Fulton Street
$2,700No Fee
Studio |
1
Financial District
37 Wall Street
$2,977No Fee
Studio |
1
Financial District
1 Wall Street Court
$3,000No Fee
Studio |
1
Fulton/Seaport
88 Fulton Street
$3,000No Fee
Studio |
1
Fulton/Seaport
106 Fulton Street
$3,000No Fee
Studio |
1
Williamsburg, Brooklyn: 32 Parking Facilities & Diverse Housing Stock
It will be challenging to find a free place to park on the street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. (From a listing: 400 Bedford Avenue #5A)
If you’re watching your wallet these days, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is one of the best places to live in NYC with a car. Ahtemovic says rates at parking garages in Queens and Brooklyn tend to cost less, at $180 to $300 a month plus tax. That leaves you more money for shopping at the local indie boutiques.
Amenities for car-owners: Nine gas stations, a car wash in nearby Greenpoint, and eight electric vehicle charging stations.
Median asking rent: $3,895 as of December 2021.
Williamsburg Rentals Under $3000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below