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

Washington Heights

516 West 162nd Street

$2,300 No Fee

1 |

1

Lenox Hill

1452 Second Avenue

$2,300 No Fee

Studio |

1

East Harlem

2004 Second Avenue

$2,200 No Fee

1 |

1

East Harlem

375 Pleasant Avenue

$2,142 No Fee

2 |

1

East Harlem

1912 Third Avenue

$1,995 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

100 West 139th Street

$2,195 No Fee

1 |

1

East Harlem

154 East 110th Street

$1,800 No Fee

Studio |

1

Yorkville

336 East 95th Street

$1,875 No Fee

Studio |

1

Yorkville

327 East 92nd Street

$2,250 No Fee

Studio |

1

Murray Hill

49 Park Avenue

$2,300 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

665 Lenox Avenue

$2,300 No Fee

2 |

1

Fort George

670 West 193rd Street

$2,100 No Fee

1 |

1

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

Washington Heights

516 West 162nd Street

$2,300 No Fee

1 |

1

South Harlem

146 West 120th Street

$2,350 No Fee

1 |

1

East Harlem

2004 Second Avenue

$2,200 No Fee

1 |

1

East Harlem

375 Pleasant Avenue

$2,142 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

101 Macombs Place

$2,400 No Fee

Studio |

1

East Harlem

1912 Third Avenue

$1,995 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

2655 Frederic Douglas Boulevard

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

2

Central Harlem

100 West 139th Street

$2,195 No Fee

1 |

1

East Harlem

154 East 110th Street

$1,800 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

665 Lenox Avenue

$2,300 No Fee

2 |

1

Fort George

670 West 193rd Street

$2,100 No Fee

1 |

1

Hamilton Heights

561 West 149th Street

$2,000 No Fee

1 |

1

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

Hell’s Kitchen

413 West 56th Street

$2,500 No Fee

Studio |

1

Murray Hill

49 Park Avenue

$2,300 No Fee

Studio |

1

Turtle Bay

335 East 51st Street

$2,400 No Fee

Studio |

1

Hell’s Kitchen

448 West 55th Street

$2,295 No Fee

Studio |

1

Hudson Yards

454 West 36th Street

$2,500 No Fee

1 |

1

Kips Bay

213 East 25th Street

$2,425 No Fee

Studio |

1

Hudson Yards

337 West 30th Street

$2,300 No Fee

Studio |

1

Turtle Bay

45 Tudor City Place

$2,400 No Fee

Studio |

1

Kips Bay

217 East 29th Street

$2,495 No Fee

Studio |

1

Hell’s Kitchen

415 West 47th Street

$2,295 No Fee

Studio |

1

Hell’s Kitchen

456 West 45th Street

$2,269 No Fee

Studio |

1

Turtle Bay

321 East 43rd Street

$2,350 No Fee

Studio |

1

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

514 East 5th Street

$2,635 No Fee

Studio |

1

Lower East Side

122 Allen Street

$2,450 No Fee

Studio |

1

Lower East Side

57 Clinton Street

$2,995 No Fee

1 |

1

East Village

45 First Avenue

$2,550 No Fee

Studio |

1

East Village

119 Avenue D

$2,795 No Fee

2 |

1

East Village

526 East 11th Street

$2,675 No Fee

1 |

1

East Village

215 Avenue A

$2,675 No Fee

Studio |

1

Two Bridges

169 East Broadway

$2,700 No Fee

1 |

1

Lower East Side

156 Orchard Street

$2,495 No Fee

Studio |

1

East Village

536 East 14th Street

$2,550 No Fee

Studio |

1

Greenwich Village

177 Thompson Street

$2,495 No Fee

Studio |

1

East Village

205 Avenue B

$2,350 No Fee

Studio |

1

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. 

—
Whether you’re looking to rent, to buy, or to sell in NYC, StreetEasy can help. Log in or create an account to find listings best suited to your personal needs.