Despite Manhattan’s tiny landmass of just 23 square miles, New Yorkers have developed virtually endless ways to divide up the island. With monikers that sound more like futuristic texting lingo than neighborhood names (NoLita? FiDi? NoMad?), it’s no wonder NYC explorers might feel they need an annotated neighborhood guide. Beyond these nuanced neighborhood distinctions lies a more fundamental question: What counts as Uptown, Downtown, and Midtown in Manhattan? Let us explain.

Manhattan Rentals Under $2300 on StreetEasy Article continues below

East Harlem

102 East 116th Street

$2,300 No Fee

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West Harlem

102 Convent Avenue

$2,300 No Fee

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Carnegie Hill

121 East 97th Street

$2,000 No Fee

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1

Inwood

165 Sherman Avenue

$1,644 No Fee

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1

Hudson Heights

370 Ft Washington Avenue

$2,300 No Fee

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1

Turtle Bay

308 East 49th Street

$2,000 No Fee

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1

Inwood

10 Vermilyea Avenue

$2,050 No Fee

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1

Central Harlem

100 West 139th Street

$2,200 No Fee

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1

East Harlem

113 East 102nd Street

$2,096 No Fee

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1

Hudson Heights

344 Ft Washington Avenue

$2,200 No Fee

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1

Yorkville

217 East 89th Street

$2,285 No Fee

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1

East Village

336 East 6th Street

$2,100 No Fee

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Uptown Manhattan & Upper Manhattan: What’s the Difference?

If you need a visual reference for the start of uptown, head to 59th Street, where you’ll find Columbus Circle traffic, abundant food carts, and the southern end of Central Park. “Uptown” generally means anything parallel to or north of Central Park. So, the Upper East Side and Upper West Side are both “Uptown” — above 59th Street — and to the east and west of the park, respectively. 

Yet while “Uptown” means north of 59th Street, Upper Manhattan means something else entirely. Neighborhoods north of Central Park, such as Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood, make up Upper Manhattan. Upper Manhattan starts at 110th Street at Central Park on the West Side and 97th or 98th Street on the East Side. In other words, where East and West Harlem begin. The best part, rental deals are plentiful in both Uptown and Upper Manhattan neighborhoods compared to areas further south.

Upper Manhattan Rentals Under $2500 on StreetEasy Article continues below

East Harlem

102 East 116th Street

$2,300 No Fee

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1

West Harlem

102 Convent Avenue

$2,300 No Fee

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1

Inwood

165 Sherman Avenue

$1,644 No Fee

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1

Central Harlem

101 Macombs Place

$2,325 No Fee

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1

Hudson Heights

370 Ft Washington Avenue

$2,300 No Fee

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1

Inwood

10 Vermilyea Avenue

$2,050 No Fee

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1

Central Harlem

100 West 139th Street

$2,200 No Fee

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1

East Harlem

113 East 102nd Street

$2,096 No Fee

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1

Hudson Heights

344 Ft Washington Avenue

$2,200 No Fee

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1

Washington Heights

1224 Saint Nicholas Avenue

$2,287 No Fee

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1

Washington Heights

1224 Saint Nicholas Avenue

$1,994 No Fee

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1

Washington Heights

473 West 158th Street

$1,825 No Fee

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Midtown Manhattan: Where It Starts and Ends

Midtown is Manhattan’s bustling, concrete heart, full of skyscrapers, office buildings, and transit centers. But if you’re looking for a more precise descriptor, it’s roughly between 30th Street and 59th street. Midtown Manhattan houses many distinctive — and incredible — neighborhoods. For example, the bright lights of Times Square provide a completely different vibe than the prewar buildings and countless eateries of Hell’s Kitchen. Midtown East neighborhoods like Kips Bay and Murray Hill seamlessly blend historic landmarks like Grand Central Terminal with numerous sports bars. Also good to know: Midtown is home to the luxurious high-rises of Billionaire’s Row.

Midtown Rentals Under $3000 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Hudson Yards

495 Ninth Avenue

$2,498 No Fee

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1

Hudson Yards

495 Ninth Avenue

$2,498 No Fee

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1

Turtle Bay

308 East 49th Street

$2,000 No Fee

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1

Sutton Place

1028 Second Avenue

$2,500 No Fee

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1

Hudson Yards

523 Ninth Avenue

$2,495 No Fee

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1

Murray Hill

304 East 41st Street

$2,395 No Fee

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1

Hell’s Kitchen

421 West 56th Street

$2,250 No Fee

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1

Hudson Yards

451 West 36th Street

$2,495 No Fee

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1

Midtown

57 West 58th Street

$2,480 No Fee

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1

Murray Hill

535 Third Avenue

$2,495 No Fee

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1

Hell’s Kitchen

331 West 43rd Street

$2,500 No Fee

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1

Hell’s Kitchen

522 West 50th Street

$2,495 No Fee

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Downtown Manhattan: Where It Starts and Ends

At StreetEasy, we consider Downtown Manhattan to be everything south of 30th Street. Of course, famous neighborhoods such as Tribeca, SoHo, and the West Village usually anchor Downtown Manhattan. These areas typically carry higher median asking prices and are home to numerous celebrities living in luxury apartments.

Where Is Lower Manhattan?

And while “Downtown” seems like it could encompass anything south of Midtown, most people refer to the southernmost part of the borough as “Lower Manhattan.” It includes neighborhoods like the Financial District, Two Bridges, and the Lower East Side.

Downtown Manhattan Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasy Article continues below

East Village

620 East 11th Street

$2,800 No Fee

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East Village

620 East 11th Street

$2,840 No Fee

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East Village

122 East 7th Street

$2,960 No Fee

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1

Chelsea

262 West 22nd Street

$2,875 No Fee

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1

Chelsea

262 West 22nd Street

$2,875 No Fee

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Chelsea

206 West 21st Street

$2,936 No Fee

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1

Chelsea

364 West 19th Street

$2,600 No Fee

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1

East Village

336 East 5th Street

$2,900 No Fee

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East Village

336 East 6th Street

$2,100 No Fee

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1

Lower East Side

122 Allen Street

$2,450 No Fee

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1

East Village

209 East Fourth Street

$2,700 No Fee

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1

East Village

531 East 13th Street

$2,595 No Fee

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Uptown and Downtown Are Relative

If you find all this confusing, let us remind you that residents use “Uptown” and “Downtown” in directional terms too. Any time you’re heading north in Manhattan, you’re going uptown. Anytime you’re heading south, you’re heading downtown. So if you hear someone at 145th Street say they’re running “downtown” to 76th Street, don’t try to inform them that 76th Street is, in fact, uptown. 

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