How to save money on rent in NYC? Look one subway stop farther.
A Williamsburg apartment near Bedford Avenue cost $1,000 more a month than one near Lorimer Street. That is $12,000 a year.
Before you rule a neighborhood out as too expensive, look one subway stop farther on Ohana.
A small change in location can make a substantial difference to your rent without taking you far from the places you want to spend time.
In Ohana's video, we compared two Williamsburg apartments: one near Bedford Avenue and another near Lorimer Street. The apartment near Bedford cost $1,000 more per month. Over a year, that is $12,000.
How to search for a NYC apartment by subway stop
It is easy to decide you want Williamsburg, search around Bedford Avenue, and assume those listings represent the whole neighborhood.
Prices vary inside a neighborhood. Expanding the search on Ohana to another station can turn up apartments you had not considered. The same approach works elsewhere in the city: choose the area you like, then compare options on Ohana along the subway line you expect to use.
Do apartments one subway stop apart cost the same?
The $1,000 difference in the Ohana video came from two specific apartments. It does not mean every apartment near Bedford costs $1,000 more than one near Lorimer.
Size, renovations, outdoor space, building amenities, and lease terms all affect the price. Use the example as a reason to widen your Ohana search, then compare places that meet the same needs.
How much time does one subway stop add to a NYC commute?
Living one stop farther away may add very little time to your routine. The train ride is only part of the commute.
Check the walk from the apartment to the station, any transfers, and the walk at the other end. Think about where your friends live and where you spend weekends. A location that adds a few minutes and saves hundreds each month may be an easy trade. A cheaper apartment that makes every trip difficult may not be. The listing on Ohana is where you check that walk before you decide.
How much does $1,000 a month in NYC rent cost per year?
Small monthly differences are easier to judge when you multiply them by 12:
- Saving $250 per month means $3,000 per year.
- Saving $500 per month means $6,000 per year.
- Saving $1,000 per month means $12,000 per year.
Ask what you would rather do with that money, and whether the more expensive location gives you enough to justify it. Then put both stops into Ohana search and compare what is actually listed.
Can a sublet let you test a cheaper NYC subway stop?
If you are unsure about a different station, a sublet on Ohana lets you try it before a longer lease.
Questions people ask
How can one subway stop save $12,000?
In the Ohana video, a Williamsburg apartment near Bedford Avenue cost $1,000 more per month than one near Lorimer Street. Over 12 months, that is $12,000.
Does every Bedford Avenue apartment on Ohana cost $1,000 more?
No. That gap was between two specific apartments. Size, condition, amenities, and lease terms change the price. Compare current listings on Ohana instead of assuming the gap.
What should I check besides the train time?
The walk to the station, transfers, the walk at the other end, and where you actually spend time on weekends. Ohana's listing is the place to check those details.