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

495 East 7th Street

$400,000

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1

Kensington

428 East 9th Street

$560,000

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1

Kensington

428 East 9th Street

$550,000

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1

Kensington

428 East 9th Street

$529,000

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1

Kensington

640 Ditmas Avenue

$540,000

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1

Kensington

192 East 8th Street

$550,000

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1

Kensington

428 East 9th Street

$390,000

Studio |

1

Kensington

260 Ocean Parkway

$469,000

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1

Kensington

135 Ocean Parkway

$529,000

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1

Kensington

260 Ocean Parkway

$417,000

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1

Kensington

428 East 9th Street

$519,000

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1

Kensington

399 Ocean Parkway

$399,000

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1

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

160 Ocean Parkway

$1,995 No Fee

Studio |

1

Kensington

250 Ocean Parkway

$2,195 No Fee

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1

Kensington

3765 18th Avenue

$2,350 No Fee

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1

Kensington

510 Ocean Parkway

$2,400 No Fee

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1

Kensington

465 East Seventh Street

$2,375 No Fee

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1

Kensington

215 East 7th Street

$2,025 No Fee

Studio |

1

Kensington

669 East Fifth Street

$1,950 No Fee

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1

Kensington

400 Ocean Parkway

$1,999 No Fee

Studio |

1

Kensington

175 Ocean Parkway

$2,450 No Fee

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1

Kensington

715 East 4th Street

$2,400 No Fee

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1

Kensington

526 East Ninth Street

$2,199 No Fee

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1

Kensington

488 Ocean Parkway

$2,400 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

Flatbush

1462 Flatbush Avenue

$435,000

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1

Kensington

495 East 7th Street

$400,000

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1

Gravesend

387 Avenue S

$380,000

2 |

1

Brighton Beach

150 West End Avenue

$356,000

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1

Flatbush

50 Kenilworth Place

$450,000

3 |

1

Kensington

428 East 9th Street

$560,000

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1

Bay Ridge

402 Bayridge Parkway

$375,000

2 |

1

Kensington

428 East 9th Street

$550,000

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1

Midwood

1615 Avenue I

$455,000

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1

Brooklyn Heights

70 Remsen Street

$425,000

Studio |

1

Brighton Beach

3016 Brighton 5th Street

$548,000

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1

Wingate

519 Maple Street

$485,000

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1

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

Williamsburg

443 Graham Avenue

$2,971 No Fee

Studio |

1

Ditmas Park

590 East 21st Street

$1,850 No Fee

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1

Park Slope

1683 Eighth Avenue

$2,950 No Fee

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1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

140A Lexington Avenue

$2,650 No Fee

2 |

1

Flatbush

186 Lenox Road

$2,828 No Fee

2 |

1

Bushwick

1001 Bushwick Avenue

$2,500 No Fee

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1

Bushwick

380 Grove Street

$2,675 No Fee

Studio |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

599 Quincy Street

$2,600 No Fee

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1

Stuyvesant Heights

951 Putnam Avenue

$2,500 No Fee

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1

Stuyvesant Heights

519 Herkimer Street

$2,699 No Fee

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1

Fort Hamilton

358 88th Street

$1,900 No Fee

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1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

449 Quincy Street

$2,600 No Fee

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1

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.