Upper West Side

Immortalized in the zeitgeist by Seinfeld and Nora Ephron romcoms, the Upper West Side has an easygoing community vibe and provides a welcome escape from the concrete jungle.

At a Glance

Sandwiched between two beautiful parks, the Upper West Side is one of the greenest spots in Manhattan. For that reason, as well as its calm residential feel, it’s a longstanding favorite among New Yorkers. The vibe is relaxed, but never dull. Plenty of low-key bars and restaurants populate Amsterdam Avenue, Broadway is an always-bustling commercial center, and the neighborhood is easily accessible by public transportation. Wide, tree-lined streets still boast many mom-and-pop stores. The Upper West Side is a little less posh than the Upper East Side, but expect real estate prices to be just as, if not more, expensive.

The Mood

The Upper West Side is a neighborhood for casual strolling, relaxing in the park, or getting some culture at the Lincoln Center.

Heart of the Neighborhood

Amsterdam Avenue is the Upper West Side’s commercial spine, lined with neighborhood restaurants, cafés, bars, and local shops.

Neighborhood Quirk

Located at 1 West 72nd Street, the Dakota building was once the home of John Lennon, as well as the set of Rosemary's Baby.

Best Perk

The Upper West Side boasts some of the best grocery stores and specialty markets in the city, including Zabar's, Citarella, and Schatzie Prime Meats.

Biggest Downside

The majority of homes on the Upper West are in large prewar buildings, which can have a cramped, outdated feel.

Prices shown are base rent only and don't include any fees. Visit each listing to see a complete cost breakdown.

$1.2M

Median Sale

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$4,500

Median Base Rent

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The Mood

The Upper West Side is a neighborhood for casual strolling, relaxing in the park, or getting some culture at the Lincoln Center.

Heart of the Neighborhood

Amsterdam Avenue is the Upper West Side’s commercial spine, lined with neighborhood restaurants, cafés, bars, and local shops.

Neighborhood Quirk

Located at 1 West 72nd Street, the Dakota building was once the home of John Lennon, as well as the set of Rosemary's Baby.

Best Perk

The Upper West Side boasts some of the best grocery stores and specialty markets in the city, including Zabar's, Citarella, and Schatzie Prime Meats.

Biggest Downside

The majority of homes on the Upper West are in large prewar buildings, which can have a cramped, outdated feel.

What’s close by

Rental prices shown are base rent only and don't include any fees.

1. Lincoln Square

Median Sale: $1.3M Median Base Rent: $5,350

2. Morningside Heights

Median Sale: $950K Median Base Rent: $4,400

3. Harlem

Median Sale: $750K Median Base Rent: $3,200

4. Upper East Side

Median Sale: $1.2M Median Base Rent: $3,950

By the Numbers

Homes for sale on the Upper West Side are very pricey, with a median asking price of $1.545M in 2025 compared to the Manhattan median of $1.35M. For renters, with a median asking rent of $4,500 in 2025, prices are closer to the borough median of $4,445.

Sales
Rentals

Median Price

Price History

Neighborhood Borough Median

Rental prices shown are base rent only and don't include any fees.

Median Base Rent

Price History

Neighborhood Borough Median

*Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 ACS

Despite its grand size, tall apartment towers, and central location, the Upper West Side is a homey neighborhood with a small-town vibe.

Pastrami aficionados, rejoice: the neighborhood has some of the best delis in the city.

While it doesn't have quite the same cultural cachet as the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side is home to the American Museum of Natural History, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and the beautiful Hayden Planetarium.

You’ll see some of the city’s oldest and most striking architecture throughout the nabe, from Beaux-Arts to Renaissance Revival.

The Upper West Side is relaxed, but never dull. There are plenty of low-key bars and restaurants to frequent at night — just don’t expect a raucous party scene.