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

Central Harlem

215 West 145th Street

$2,100 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

215 West 145th Street

$2,150 base rent

1 |

1

East Harlem

311 East 105th Street

$2,300 base rent

1 |

1

Fort George

72 Wadsworth Terrace

$1,956 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

150 West 140th Street

$2,100 base rent

1 |

1

Sutton Place

324 East 59th Street

$2,275 base rent

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

210 West 133rd Street

$1,700 base rent

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

210 West 133rd Street

$2,050 base rent

1 |

1

Washington Heights

522 West 159th Street

$1,775 base rent

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

103 West 128th Street

$1,795 base rent

Studio |

1

Inwood

88 Seaman Avenue

$2,000 base rent

1 |

1

East Harlem

2175 Third Avenue

$1,950 base rent

Studio |

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

Central Harlem

215 West 145th Street

$2,100 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

215 West 145th Street

$2,150 base rent

1 |

1

East Harlem

311 East 105th Street

$2,300 base rent

1 |

1

Washington Heights

500 West 170th Street

$2,399 base rent

2 |

1

Manhattanville

3333A Broadway

$2,350 base rent

Studio |

1

Fort George

72 Wadsworth Terrace

$1,956 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

150 West 140th Street

$2,100 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

210 West 133rd Street

$1,700 base rent

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

210 West 133rd Street

$2,400 base rent

2 |

1

Central Harlem

210 West 133rd Street

$2,050 base rent

1 |

1

Washington Heights

522 West 159th Street

$1,775 base rent

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

103 West 128th Street

$1,795 base rent

Studio |

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

Sutton Place

324 East 59th Street

$2,275 base rent

Studio |

1

Murray Hill

320 East 42nd Street

$2,400 base rent

Studio |

1

Hell’s Kitchen

692 Ninth Avenue

$2,383 base rent

Studio |

1

Midtown South

606 Eighth Avenue

$2,152 base rent

Studio |

1

Turtle Bay

303 East 46th Street

$2,400 base rent

Studio |

1

Sutton Place

320 East 59th Street

$2,489 base rent

1 |

1

Beekman

34 Beekman Place

$2,500 base rent

Studio |

1

Hell’s Kitchen

424 West 56th Street

$2,388 base rent

Studio |

1

Hell’s Kitchen

412 West 56th Street

$2,430 base rent

Studio |

1

Hell’s Kitchen

403 West 54th Street

$2,400 base rent

Studio |

1

Hell’s Kitchen

353 West 44th Street

$2,383 base rent

Studio |

1

Hell’s Kitchen

416 West 49th Street

$2,494 base rent

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

225 East 5th Street

$2,725 base rent

Studio |

1

East Village

338 East 11th Street

$2,750 base rent

Studio |

1

East Village

126 East 7th Street

$2,849 base rent

Studio |

1

East Village

244 E. Houston Street

$2,849 base rent

Studio |

1

East Village

305 East 9th Street

$3,000 base rent

1 |

1

Hudson Square

18 King Street

$3,000 base rent

Studio |

1

Two Bridges

47 Market Street

$2,850 base rent

1 |

1

Chelsea

327 West 21st Street

$2,350 base rent

1 |

1

Gramercy Park

144 East 22nd Street

$2,658 base rent

Studio |

1

Soho

57 Thompson Street

$2,900 base rent

Studio |

1

Lower East Side

148 Orchard Street

$2,750 base rent

Studio |

1

East Village

425 East 12th Street

$2,695 base rent

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.