Compared to the rest of NYC, the Bronx is the cheapest area to live in. You can easily find one (or two if you’re lucky) bedroom in the Bronx for under $2,000. Living in the Bronx means you have easy access to Manhattan thanks to multiple subway lines running through the borough. In addition, you can hop on Metro-North from several locations to get to Westchester. Of course, the Bronx has the reputation of being a rough borough, but there are plenty of places that are both affordable and safe!
Kingsbridge
This friendly community is located just north of Upper Manhattan and close to Manhattan College. While the majority of the neighborhood is residential, it is home to around 200 merchants, making it one of the largest retail shopping districts in the Bronx. It’s also easy to get to the famed Riverdale via the steps, stairways with more than 160 steps climbing up the steep slope. These steps were made famous through the movie The Joker.
When it comes to living here, rents are definitely on the more affordable side. You can easily find a one-bedroom apartment for around $1,800. And while the majority of residents rent, you can find some beautiful homes in the area for under $700,000, which is significantly less than if you’re looking for a brownstone in Manhattan or Brooklyn. Getting around Kingsbridge is also cheap, as you have access to the 1 train as well as multiple bus routes, so you don’t have to worry about getting a car.
Affordability Index (Bronx vs. Other NYC Boroughs)
| Borough | Avg Rent (1-BR) | Avg Home Price | Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100) | % Cheaper vs Manhattan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | $3,800 | $1.25M | 100 | — |
| Brooklyn | $3,200 | $950K | 92 | 15–20% Cheaper |
| Queens | $2,600 | $750K | 85 | 30–35% Cheaper |
| Bronx | $1,900 | $520K | 72 | 50%+ Cheaper |
| Staten Island | $1,800 | $600K | 70 | 55%+ Cheaper |
City Island
NYC’s best-kept secret, City Island, is located off the northeastern part of the Bronx at the western end of Long Island Sound. This is a perfect place if you have always wanted to retire to a quiet fishing town, but still want access to a big city. The 1.5-mile-long island has a beach on almost every block and offers a quaint small-town New England feel. It has some of the best seafood in NYC and provides pretty much every amenity you could want, from parks to small local shops to the City Island Nautical Museum. Also, there are over 30 restaurants in the area, ranging from fast food to dessert shops.
Apartments are hard to come by on City Island, but if you are able to find a spot, jump on it! Rents tend to be on the lower side, with the cost of a one-bedroom averaging around $1,800. Most residents own their homes, and the average cost is around $600,000, but that’s for an actual house, not a condo! You will need to get a car if you live here, as there’s no subway station that will take you there. There are, however, two bus routes that will take you into Manhattan.
Belmont
This crescent-shaped residential neighborhood is a great place to live, especially if you want to get involved in the local community. It offers a small-town feel and has a rich Italian heritage, so much so that it is widely known as the “Little Italy” of the Bronx. Today, the neighborhood offers more diverse ethnicities and cultures that you can explore. There’s a lot to do in the neighborhood, and it is right next to the Bronx Zoo, Botanical Garden, and Fordham University. Plus, you have plenty of options when it comes to restaurants and bars. In fact, there are almost too many great options, but if you ever want a change of pace, you can hop on the B or D train or the Metro North at Fordham.
Commute Times & Transit Access
| Neighborhood | Closest Subway Line(s) | Avg Commute to Midtown Manhattan (min) | # of Bus Routes | Ferry / Metro-North Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsbridge | 1 Train | 35–40 | 5+ | Metro-North Nearby |
| City Island | None | 50–60 | 2 | Bus to Manhattan |
| Belmont | B, D Trains | 30–35 | 4+ | Metro-North Nearby |
| Soundview | 6 Train | 35–40 | 5+ | Ferry Access Available |
| Wakefield | 2, 5 Trains | 40–45 | 4+ | Metro-North Nearby |
Considering how many amenities there are, you’d think Belmont would be super pricey, but it’s actually quite affordable. The average one-bedroom goes for around $1,800, and you can buy a full house for under $600,000. With major attractions right next door, you might want to save money and become a member of the zoo and botanical gardens to save on the visits you’ll most likely make every week!
Soundview
Located on the Clason Point peninsula, this neighborhood offers beautiful views of the East River and the Manhattan skyline. It’s one of the best places to move to if you want waterfront property without having to pay waterfront prices! There’s more to Soundview than just the views! It’s home to Shops at Bruckner Commons, which contains national chains like Old Navy and Marshalls as well as grocery chains like ShopRite and Aldi. For you nature lovers, you can enjoy the 205-acre Soundview Park, which has plenty of playgrounds, ballfields, and open grassy areas for your next picnic.
Living in Soundview is still relatively affordable. You can find one-bedroom apartments for under $2,000, with some as low as $1,500. Looking to buy? You can get a house for under $400,000! That’s quite a bargain in comparison to the rest of NYC. And getting around is pretty easy. You can hop on the 6 line or take a bus around the Bronx or Manhattan. There’s also a ferry service that will take you to various stops on the east side of Manhattan.
Wakefield
Located right on the boundary between NYC and Westchester, Wakefield tends to attract families and young professionals due to its good schools, tree-lined streets, and amenities. Despite being a mostly residential neighborhood, the area has plenty to offer, especially when it comes to restaurants! There’s a wide variety of options from Cajun to Jamaican to Irish, but definitely stop by Paul’s Caribbean Bakery for some of the best meat patties in the Bronx. Then, take a stroll through Seton Falls Park, which offers picturesque trails, wooded areas, and a waterfall! The Bronx River also flows through Wakefield, making it perfect for kayaking or fishing.
Recreation & Outdoor Space Access
| Neighborhood | Acres of Parkland | # of Playgrounds | # of Sports Facilities | Distance to Waterfront (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsbridge | 15 | 5 | 2 | 1.5 |
| City Island | 10 | 3 | 1 | Waterfront on all sides |
| Belmont | 25 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Soundview | 205 | 8 | 4 | 0.5 |
| Wakefield | 40 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Wakefield is considered a middle-class neighborhood, and as such, still has some reasonable rents. You can find a one-bedroom for under $2,000, and you’ll be getting a ton of space! When it comes to buying, you can easily get a house for under $450,000. And it has good access to public transportation via the 2 and 5 trains, as well as buses that take you to NYC and Westchester. You can also hop on the Metro-North for easy access to Grand Central or other parts of Westchester and/or Connecticut.
Ready to Move to the Bronx?
Moving to the Bronx doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, we at NYC Great Movers can take all of the suspense out of moving to make it as seamless and easy as possible. We’re the movers Bronx residents know and trust, backed up by our almost five-star rating on multiple review sites! Reach out to us, and we’ll help walk you through the process. No move is too small for us so even if you’re just moving furniture, we can help you out.
FAQ
Is the Bronx dangerous?
There are definitely some areas of the Bronx that are more dangerous than others. Much of the violence and issues that happen are gang-related, which means so long as you avoid the gangs and don’t walk alone late at night by yourself you should be nice. Of course, you always want to be alert and aware of your surroundings.
How long does it take to commute from the Bronx to Manhattan?
It depends on where you live and where you are going. Some locations will take much longer than others. For example, City Island would be at least an hour commute while a place like Kingsbridge might only be 40 minutes.
