Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Unaffordability Map Identifies Fast Gentrifying Neighborhoods
By
Lauren Evans
Published Aug 20, 2013
Modified Aug 20, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Lauren Evans
Published Aug 20, 2013
Modified Aug 20, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
We already knew that the topography of New York real estate is changing—formerly unhip neighborhoods have become hip, resulting in skyrocketing rent, and already pricey neighborhoods have become pricier still. But which neighborhoods are gentrifying the fastest?
To answer this question, we asked Property Shark to prepare a nifty map, which measures the median home sale price in each census tract, divided by the median household income.
The dark purple splotches represent places where people are paying a lot for real estate in places where their neighbors make relatively little money. While neighborhoods like NoLiTa, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, and Sunset Park are easy to explain (Hi, gentrifying hipsters!) there are several others that have us trawling Google maps for an explanation. One tiny purple island along Kissena and Parsons boulevards in Flushing seems to be adjacent to Queens College—overpriced student housing, perhaps? Others are totally inscrutable. For instance, that splotch in East Williamsburg- perhaps an artifact of bad data?
Click around the map yourself here, and when you find out what's going on between Edgecombe and St. Nicholas avenues (it has to be the park, right?) be sure to let us know.
N.B.: Property Shark explains the data we used: "To compile the data we used census tracts and we’ve only taken into account the residential sales closed in 2012 and 2013 with sale prices over $50,000. Also we only mapped census tracts that had 4 or more sales in order to have a median sale price as accurate as possible. Due to these filters and also because some census tracts comprise only rentals or other commercial properties, you will find gray areas on the map with no data available."
Tagged
real estate
unaffordability map
original
Lauren Evans
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman spar over immigration, cost of living in debate
The Democratic incumbent repeatedly invoked President Donald Trump. The Republican challenger largely avoided bringing up New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
By
Jon Campbell
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 9:05 p.m. ET
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
ICE admits to using Roxbury, NJ warehouse site to process immigrants
By
Mike Hayes
Dolan's offer: Donations to Blakeman for Knicks tickets
By
Walter Wuthmann
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .