Central Harlem
$2,975 /mo
Manhattan · Studio (0 BR)
Estimated monthly asking rent, not a live listing.
For Renters
Find your next place in New York.
From a studio to a three-bedroom, explore what your budget could look like across all five boroughs — then tell us where you want to move.
AI-powered match
Describe what you need, in your own words.
Images illustrate modest layouts and finishes for these budgets, not an exact apartment or a promise of what that rent buys. Actual rents vary by building, condition and lease terms.
Apartment budget examples
12 examples
Inwood
$3,175 /mo
Manhattan · 1 BR
Estimated monthly asking rent, not a live listing.
East Harlem
$4,125 /mo
Manhattan · 2 BR
Estimated monthly asking rent, not a live listing.
Bushwick
$3,500 /mo
Brooklyn · Studio (0 BR)
Estimated monthly asking rent, not a live listing.
Bushwick
$4,500 /mo
Brooklyn · 2 BR
Estimated monthly asking rent, not a live listing.
Bedford-Stuyvesant
$5,500 /mo
Brooklyn · 3 BR
Estimated monthly asking rent, not a live listing.
Astoria
$3,850 /mo
Queens · 1 BR
Estimated monthly asking rent, not a live listing.
Woodside
$4,075 /mo
Queens · 2 BR
Estimated monthly asking rent, not a live listing.
Ridgewood
$5,250 /mo
Queens · 3 BR
Estimated monthly asking rent, not a live listing.
Mott Haven
$3,225 /mo
Bronx · Studio (0 BR)
Estimated monthly asking rent, not a live listing.
Mott Haven
$4,025 /mo
Bronx · 2 BR
Estimated monthly asking rent, not a live listing.
Staten Island
$2,625 /mo
Staten Island · 1 BR
Borough-wide estimate; limited market sample.
How we priced these examples
Research checked October 12, 2026 (New York). Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Bronx examples use rounded neighborhood medians from September 2026 asking rents. Staten Island uses a rounded six-month 1 BR median; the source covers only one neighborhood, so treat it as a rough guide, not a borough-wide market average. Example budgets are set about 25% above those medians so they stay conservative — many renters find places for less.
Leaseswap · September 2026 rental reportLeaseswap · Six-month neighborhood medians
Why rent with Ax
Verified before you tour
When we find an apartment that fits your search, we confirm availability before arranging a showing — not after you have taken the afternoon off. The examples here are a starting point for your budget, not available listings.
Honest about the bad parts
Fourth-floor walk-up, small second bedroom, street noise — you hear it from us first. Surprises kill deals, and we would rather keep your trust than book one more tour.
All five boroughs
Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. We work the neighborhoods we actually know, block by block.
Fee clarity, up front
Under the NYC FARE Act, landlords pay the broker fee on most rentals. If a specific apartment works differently, you know before you tour — never at the lease signing.
How it works
1
Tell us what you need
Budget, neighborhoods, move-in date, must-haves. A short call or message is enough — we will tell you honestly what that budget gets you right now.
2
Tour apartments that are actually available
We confirm every unit before you see it, group showings so you are not crisscrossing the city, and give you the real picture of each place.
3
Apply with a complete package
We help you put together ID, income proof, and references the way landlords want to see them, so your application does not lose to a faster one.
Have this ready
Good apartments are measured in days. Renters who have their paperwork together get the lease — here is what a complete package looks like.
Photo ID
Government-issued, current.
Proof of income
Recent pay stubs, an offer letter, or tax returns if you are self-employed.
Bank statements
Usually the last two or three months.
References
Previous landlord and employer contacts.
Guarantor details, if needed
If your income is below the landlord's threshold, line up a guarantor early — it keeps you competitive.
Renter FAQ
Who pays the broker fee?+
Under the NYC FARE Act, landlords pay the broker fee in most rentals. If a specific listing works differently, we tell you before you tour — never after.
How fast should I move?+
Have your documents ready — ID, income proof, and references. Good apartments are measured in days.
What income do landlords usually ask for?+
Many NYC landlords look for annual income around 40 times the monthly rent, or a guarantor earning around 80 times. It varies by building — we will tell you what a specific landlord expects before you apply.
Can you help if I have a voucher or non-traditional income?+
Yes. Source-of-income discrimination is illegal in New York, and we work with renters across all income types. Tell us your situation and we will be straight with you about your options.
Do you have apartments that are not listed here?+
Our list changes daily and not everything makes it onto this page. Call or message us with what you need — if we have something that fits, we will tell you. If we do not, we will say that too.
Ready to start looking?
Tell us your budget, neighborhoods, and move-in date. We will come back with an honest read on what is out there for you.