Located in Upper Manhattan, Morningside Heights is probably most famous for housing the prestigious Columbia University, as well as Barnard College, the Manhattan School of Music, and other institutions for higher education. But the neighborhood isn’t just for students and academics. Foodies will love the vibrant culinary scene and architecture fanatics will drool over the distinguished turn-of-the-century buildings. But how much will it cost to purchase your own piece of history in Morningside Heights? And what is there to do around the neighborhood? Read on for the answers to these questions — and so many more!
Where is Morningside Heights?
There is some debate about whether Morningside Heights is part of Harlem or not. Some describe it as “West Harlem,” while others insist that it is its own distinct neighborhood. But no matter how you define it, Morningside Heights is an excellent place to call home. The nabe is bordered by 125th Street to the north, Morningside Park to the east, 110th Street to the south, and Riverside Park to the west. It’s served by the 1 train, which makes three stops at 110th, 116th, and 125th Streets. On a good day, the commute from Midtown to Morningside Heights can be as short as 15 minutes. Wow!
A Brief History of Morningside Heights
You might be surprised to hear that the area now known as Morningside Heights was the site of a pivotal battle in the Revolutionary War. In 1776, the American Revolutionaries pushed back British forces during the Battle of Harlem Heights, securing an upper-hand in the conflict and boosting morale among soldiers. History buffs will especially love the bronze relief sculpture located between 117th and 118th streets that commemorates this all-important event.
Morningside Heights was also the site of the Bloomingdale Asylum and the Leake & Watts Orphan Asylum, both built by the Society of the New York Hospital. Eventually Columbia University set its sights on the area and bought up multiple tracts of land with the intent to expand. The neighborhood became significantly more residential in 1904 when the Broadway subway line opened up, connecting Morningside Heights with other parts of the city. Residential construction boomed in the 20th century, including the neighborhood’s Rockfeller-backed, middle-class residence, Morningside Gardens.
So Why is Morningside Heights Such a Great Place to Live?
To understand why Morningside Heights is such a desirable place to put down roots, we spoke to Rachel Melniker, a licensed associate real estate salesperson with Corcoran and a StreetEasy Expert. She’s helped countless clients secure their dream homes in this dreamy locale.
The biggest feedback she hears from happy clients in Morningside Heights? “They all universally love the neighborhood, the energy, the proximity to the parks, restaurants, transportation and the vibe which trends towards the academic and creative arts,” Melniker says.
And of course, there’s the beautiful architecture, which translates not only to intricate interiors but also to extravagant exteriors. As Melniker puts it: “It is always a pleasure to stroll around this area…The lack of modern glass high-rises compared to other areas of the city impart a charm that makes you feel as if you can imagine a New York of long ago.” What New Yorker wouldn’t want their daily walks to be so idyllic?
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Architectural Highlights
We’ve waxed poetic about the breathtaking architecture in Morningside Heights, but what exactly can you expect to see? Since most of the buildings in the area were built at the turn of the 1900’s, Melniker encourages prospective buyers to pay attention to the building facades, which often feature gothic details like “gargoyles, cherubs and intricate work.” But the stunning attributes don’t stop there!
“The lobbies are just as majestic, often featuring ultra-high ceilings, marble, decorative plaster and stained-glass window details.” Melniker called out one building, The Henrik Hudson at 380 Riverside Drive, that even has a working fountain right in the middle of its ornate lobby. Neat!
In addition to the plethora of aesthetic wonders on display, Melniker is quick to point out the generous floor plans available in Morningside Heights. “Many of the apartments are quite majestically proportioned…even if they were subdivided during the depression.” She explains the reason for this is that “a grand scale in terms of floor area and ceiling height was in vogue” in the early 1900’s when the buildings were constructed.
Buying in Morningside Heights
And now for the biggest question on everyone’s mind: How much is purchasing a sizable unit with gorgeous period details gonna cost you? As an agent working all over New York City, Melniker can attest that “the apartments are often slightly more affordable in Morningside Heights.” Though, she warns, inventory can tend to be on the lower end.
To be more specific, the StreetEasy Data Dashboard reports that the median asking sales price in Morningside Heights in March 2025 was $959,000. This is lower than it was about this time last year in March 2024, when the median asking price in Morningside Heights was $1.3 million.
Thinking about buying in NYC? Chat with our complimentary, licensed Concierge to learn about the buying process.
Renting in Morningside Heights
If you’re not ready to purchase a home yet, we totally get it. But you’ll need to be extra strategic when browsing for a rental in Morningside Heights. As Melniker explains, “Compared to the rest of the city there are not that many rental listings in Morningside Heights…and they tend to go quickly.”
This is because “many of the buildings are owned by Columbia for student and faculty housing.” Due to the transient nature of academics, prospective renters will also probably encounter shorter-term leases: “Some apartments are co-ops that owners try to sublet for a year or two.”
According to the StreetEasy Data Dashboard, the median asking rent in Morningside Heights in March 2025 was $4,216. This is slightly lower than it was about this time last year in March 2024, when the median asking rent in Morningside Heights was around $4,398.
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Parks and Green Spaces
Morningside Heights is sandwiched smack-dab in the middle of two picturesque green spaces: the waterfront Riverside Park and the 13-block Morningside Park. Both offer free facilities like walking and biking paths, barbeque areas, basketball courts and playgrounds.
The neighborhood is also highly walkable. Melniker particularly calls out Morningside Drive as one of the most beautiful streets in New York City: “This is a 12-block walk which I suggest to anyone who is looking for a quiet, beautiful place to walk and relax. Bordered by Morningside Park and with very little traffic, it is an oasis.”
What to Eat, Drink, and Do
Morningside Heights is the site of many buildings of religious significance: “St. John The Divine is one of the world’s largest Anglican cathedrals and is a must see. Riverside Cathedral…is also a beautiful place to visit.”
Beyond visiting cathedrals, there are numerous other ways to broaden your intellectual horizons in Morningside Heights. “Book Culture is an independent bookstore and a favorite among residents of the area,” Melniker recommends.
Another neighborhood favorite is the Saturday farmer’s market. “[It] is not the largest in the city but it is one of the best in my opinion — produce, olives, baked goods and other items [that are] always fresh and beautiful.” Sounds like a perfect weekly routine to us!
When it comes to dining, Morningside Heights has a wide array of international options. Melniker’s favorites? “The restaurant Pisticci on La Salle Street has wonderful food and is a big favorite of people from many other neighborhoods who travel to eat there. Max Soha over on Amsterdam Avenue is also a tiny but popular spot, and LeMonde on Broadway is always bustling. The Hungarian Pastry Shop also on Amsterdam is always busy and crowded.”
StreetEasy is an assumed name of Zillow, Inc. which has a real estate brokerage license in all 50 states and D.C. See real estate licenses. StreetEasy does not intend to interfere with any agency agreement you may have with a real estate professional or solicit your business if you are already under contract to purchase or sell property. The information in this article is informational only and should not be relied on in any underlying real estate transaction. All data for uncited sources in this presentation has been sourced from Zillow data. Copyright © 2025 by Zillow, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
