Can I afford Brooklyn?
The most populous borough, from waterfront towers in Williamsburg and Dumbo to brownstone Park Slope and Bed-Stuy and the rowhouse blocks of south Brooklyn.
Page last checked: October 3, 2026Cited figures; see Sources below. These are market data points, not calculated by this site.
What these numbers cover
The rent is Corcoran's August 2026 median for leases reported signed in Brooklyn, a record for the borough per the report. Corcoran bases it on last asking prices, and notes it may include furnished or short-term rentals.
The sale price is Corcoran's second-quarter 2026 median across Brooklyn co-ops and condos, resale and new development. It doesn't include 1-3 family townhouses, a big part of Brooklyn's housing.
What it takes to live here
These are calculated, not cited: the figures above run through this site's calculator assumptions (40× rent rule, co-op and condo DTI limits), with no other monthly debts and no check against your savings.
| Rent at the median (Rent Calculator) | $174,720/yr income needed |
| Buy a co-op at the median ($895,000) (Co-op Calculator) | $254,552/yr income needed |
| Buy a condo at the median ($895,000) (Condo Calculator) | $197,150/yr income needed |
Brooklyn neighborhoods
Run your own numbers
Start with the Reality Check to see what's in reach on your income and savings, or go straight to renting, a co-op, or a condo. Moving soon? Add up the move-in cash.
Sources
Market data changes constantly. Check the source before relying on a figure for a real decision.