NYC Rents Up 5.4%: Enough for the Typical Renter to Buy a Home in Yonkers, Philly or Orlando

Core Insights - The median asking rent in New York City reached $3,599 in Q3 2025, marking a 5.4% increase year-over-year and a 20.2% rise compared to pre-pandemic levels [1][3] Rent Trends - Rents increased across all boroughs, with Brooklyn experiencing the highest growth at 6.8%, followed by Manhattan (6.0%), the Bronx (4.9%), and Queens (2.2%) [2] - Smaller apartments (up to two bedrooms) saw a median rent increase of 6.0% year-over-year, while larger units only grew by 1.0% [2] Affordability Challenges - Rent affordability remains a significant issue for New Yorkers, especially with the upcoming mayoral election [3] - Renters could afford to buy homes in nearby markets like Yonkers or Toms River with the same monthly payment as their rent, or even in more affordable cities like Philadelphia or Orlando [3][4] Home Buying Potential - Renters paying the median NYC rent could afford homes priced between $400,000 and $690,000 in various markets nationwide, assuming a 20% down payment and a 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.35% [4] - In Yonkers, NY, renters could afford the monthly cost of a typical home priced around $421,000, making it a viable option for transitioning to homeownership [5] Nearby Suburbs - New Jersey suburbs such as Toms River, Brick, Freehold, and Jersey City offer homes typically ranging from the mid-$400,000s to the upper $600,000s, which are affordable for renters with a Manhattan-level budget [6] Out-of-Metro Options - Renters could afford homes in out-of-metro markets like Philadelphia ($286,000), Pittsburgh ($276,000), Orlando ($391,000), and Myrtle Beach ($289,000) [8] - Naples, FL, is noted as the only popular out-of-metro destination that is generally out of reach for most renters due to higher home prices [8] Income Requirements - To afford typical NYC rentals under the "30% income rule," renters would need a gross monthly household income ranging from approximately $10,517 in the Bronx to $15,823 in Manhattan, translating to annual incomes between $126,000 and nearly $190,000 [8][9]