Brooklyn has been a hot spot for renters and buyers for years now, making some neighborhoods pricey. Luckily, there are affordable alternatives in the bustling borough like Kensington, Brooklyn. The median asking price for homes is $599.5K as of June 2021, compared to $945K for the borough overall. Rents are much lower too. The median asking rent for Kensington is $1,900, compared to Brooklyn’s median of $2,500 for the same period. But, of course, that’s in addition to all the perks of the neighborhood. The locale is primarily residential and oozes old-school charm, with beautiful old Victorians lining the streets. 

Kensington Homes Under $600K on StreetEasy Article continues below

Kensington

428 East 9th Street

$519,000

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Kensington

300 Ocean Parkway

$395,000

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Kensington

811 Cortelyou Road

$409,000

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1

Kensington

495 East 7th Street

$350,000

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1

Kensington

379 Ocean Parkway

$599,000

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Kensington

495 East 7th Street

$400,000

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Kensington

428 East 9th Street

$560,000

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Kensington

428 East 9th Street

$550,000

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Kensington

640 Ditmas Avenue

$515,000

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1

Kensington

192 East 8th Street

$550,000

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Kensington

428 East 9th Street

$390,000

Studio |

1

Kensington

135 Ocean Parkway

$529,000

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Where Is Kensington, Brooklyn?

Kensington, Brooklyn, is in the heart of the borough. It’s located south of Prospect Park and the Green-Wood Cemetery, sandwiched between Borough Park and Flatbush. You have easy access to the southwest corner of Prospect Park and the Windsor Terrace neighborhoods from the north, while the southern portion borders West Midwood. Discover more Prospect Park neighborhoods.

Kensington Rentals Under $2500 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Kensington

376 East Eighth Street

$1,999 No Fee

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Kensington

135 Ocean Parkway

$2,500 No Fee

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Kensington

639 Foster Avenue

$2,500 No Fee

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1

Kensington

540 Ocean Parkway

$2,200 No Fee

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1

Kensington

430 Ocean Parkway

$2,349 No Fee

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1

Kensington

227 East Seventh Street

$2,350 No Fee

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1

Kensington

315 Ocean Parkway

$2,050 No Fee

Studio |

1

Kensington

303 Beverly Road

$2,450 No Fee

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1

Kensington

669 East Fifth Street

$1,950 No Fee

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1

Kensington

318 Ditmas Avenue

$2,500 No Fee

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1

Kensington

638 East Second Street

$2,466 No Fee

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Kensington

7 Chester Avenue

$2,500 No Fee

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What Are the Housing Options in Kensington, Brooklyn? 

Like much of New York City, Kensington, Brooklyn was farmland at one time. In the 1850s, Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect behind Central Park, designed Ocean Parkway, transforming it into a residential hub. More development took place in the 1920s, which created old-world-meets-newer-world housing options. Here you’ll find everything from stunning Victorian houses to multi-level detached homes (complete with front yards and porches). There are also low-rise apartment buildings but no high-rises and big box stores here, so the “old” Brooklyn flavor remains. 

In addition, a few modern apartment buildings with amenities like a gym and central air are now popping up off Ocean Parkway at the southern end of the neighborhood, making it transcend yet another period. 

All housing options tend to offer lower per-square-foot prices than other parts of Brooklyn. So, you’ll get more space for your money here. For example, you could get a 1,200 square foot, four-bedroom that’s just steps from the park for $3,000.

“There are many single and multifamily homes with both a front and backyard that are ideal for people who like to garden or BBQ or simply seek a green space respite from the hustle and bustle,” said agent Karen Kostiw of Warburg Realty.

Brooklyn Homes Under $600K on StreetEasy Article continues below

Fort Hamilton

8701 Shore Road

$489,000

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Fort Hamilton

9701 Shore Road

$550,000

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Ditmas Park

1115 Dorchester Road

$500,000

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Homecrest

2251 Knapp Street

$305,000

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1

Midwood

1615 Avenue I

$315,000

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Brooklyn Heights

145 Hicks Street

$595,000

Studio |

1

Brighton Beach

2929 Brighton 5th Street

$415,000

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Brighton Beach

2929 Brighton 5th Street

$419,000

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Midwood

1577 East 17th Street

$379,000

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Coney Island

501 Surf Avenue

$599,000

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1.5

Homecrest

1910 Avenue V

$599,000

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2

Brighton Beach

150 West End Avenue

$495,000

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What Are the Commute Times to Midtown Manhattan? 

The almost suburban-like feel of Kensington, Brooklyn extends to the commute as well. Expect a 45-minute ride into Midtown Manhattan on the B, D, F, M, and Q while the Q, F, and R will get you downtown in about 35 minutes. The G also services the neighborhood making it easy to trek across Brooklyn without a car or taxi. To get to Williamsburg, it takes about 50 minutes. 

Brooklyn Rentals Under $3000 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Brownsville

596 Powell Street

$2,583 No Fee

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Flatbush

3321 Glenwood Road

$2,550 No Fee

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Flatbush

2915 Albemarle Road

$2,492 No Fee

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Flatbush

88 Linden Boulevard

$2,658 No Fee

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Williamsburg

101 Varet Street

$2,997 No Fee

Studio |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

228 Malcolm X Boulevard

$2,829 No Fee

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Bay Ridge

219 78th Street

$1,899 No Fee

Studio |

1

Ocean Hill

471 Chauncey Street

$2,986 No Fee

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1.5

Mapleton

1340 Dahill Road

$2,795 No Fee

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Sunset Park

4501 Fifth Avenue

$2,750 No Fee

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Stuyvesant Heights

250 Stuyvesant Avenue

$2,795 No Fee

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Stuyvesant Heights

833 Monroe Street

$3,000 No Fee

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Parks and Green Spaces in Kensington

Though mostly comprised of streets lined with apartment buildings and detached homes, this residential enclave doesn’t have much public green space to call its own. But there are plenty of parks nearby. And not just any park, Prospect Park. The northern part of the neighborhood touches the edge of Parade Ground — a 40-acre green space with athletic fields — which connects to the southern portion of the park. So, you’re just a 15-minute walk from the stunning walkways and bike paths and 25 minutes from the LeFrak Center, which is filled with activities like skating and boating. It will take you about 10 minutes longer from the more southern parts of Kensington, Brooklyn. But it’s still easy to access one of the city’s best outdoor spaces.

Green-Wood Cemetery is equally close to the neighborhood, providing another green spot to stroll through.

What To Do and What To Eat in Kensington

Again, the charm of Kensington, Brooklyn, is that it’s one of the more quiet neighborhoods in the city. That’s because there aren’t many businesses besides the ones found on the major thoroughfares. Instead, residents opt for playing chess on Ocean Parkway. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some local gems. Expect to find various dining options like Thai Farm Kitchen and La Loba Cantina, while Hamilton’s is a go-to brunch spot. 

The area is bike-friendly, close to tennis, ASO (American Soccer Association), and horse stables. There is also a good selection of cocktail establishments, making this a sought-after location by many.

“There is a diverse array of restaurants and stores, including The Farm on Adderley (my favorite), the Purple Yam, and the Flatbush Food Coop,” said agent Jeanne Byers of Warburg Realty. “It feels like the Bohemian Brooklyn of yesteryear — with unique finds to be found where you least expect them.”

Looking for more rental deals? Here are 10 affordable Brooklyn neighborhoods for renters.