A publication of Nessoo · the verify-first rental platform
Renting in NYC? Verify once on nessoo.com →
Friday, Oct 16, 2026 New York · Weekdays, 7 AM ET
Nessoo REPORT
Nessoo Index
NYC median rent $4,150 ▲ 3.9% YoY Manhattan $4,995 ▲ 8.0% YoY Brooklyn $3,945 ▲ 3.8% YoY Queens $3,400 ▲ 4.7% YoY Rentals on the market 29,029 ▼ 15.3% YoY Active verified renters ~750 Active listings 600+ Days to lease on Nessoo 4.8 Units our team represents 30,000+ Leases signed by our team 1,500+ Renters verified to date 5,000+ Monthly social reach 40M+
THE 40X RULE · SEPT 2026 RENTSMedian asking rent x 40
Income needed to rent the median apartmentMost NYC landlords want yearly income of 40x the monthly rent. Here is what that means in each borough.
Manhattan
$199,800
All NYC
$166,000
Brooklyn
$157,800
Queens
$136,000
Median asking rents: StreetEasy, Sept 2026, x 40.Nessoo
Renters · Explainer

The 40x rule. How NYC landlords read your income.

Most landlords want you to earn 40 times the rent. At today's median, that is $166,000 a year. Here is the math by borough, and how to read it before you apply.

By Gabe Einhorn · 3 min read
NYC right now · updated daily from city dataAll live numbers →
2,242Heat and hot water complaints to 311Oct 8 to Oct 14 · ▼ 31% vs the week before
3,780New apartments proposed in buildings filed with the citySep 17 to Oct 16 · 144 new building filings
4,574Immediately hazardous housing violations (Class C)Oct 8 to Oct 14 · ▼ 18% vs the week before
13,465Residential evictions so far this year▼ 8% vs same dates last year

4 affordable housing lotteries are open now. Next deadline: Oct 20, 293 East 207th Street Apartments (Bronx). See all →

Source: NYC Open Data (311, HPD, Department of Buildings, Department of Investigation, Housing Connect). Counts as published by the city.

Nessoo by the numbersnessoo.com →
30,000+Units our team represents
1,500+Leases signed by our team
40M+Monthly reach on social media
5,000+Renters verified to date
4.8Median days to lease

Latest from Nessoo

All reports →
THE NESSOO INDEX

The numbers behind renting in New York.

Every number sourced. Free to cite with a link back to Nessoo.

Explore the reports Methodology
MEDIAN ASKING RENT, NYC$4,150▲ 3.9% year over year
MEDIAN DAYS TO LEASE4.8Units leased on Nessoo
INCOME TO RENT, MEDIAN52xMedian verified renter on Nessoo
CONCESSION SHARE17.6%Listings with 1+ month free, ▼ 1.9 pts year over year

Median Asking Rent

What landlords are asking for an apartment in each borough this month, and the change from a year ago.

Manhattan
$4,995 +8.0%
Brooklyn
$3,945 +3.8%
Queens
$3,400 +4.7%
Days to lease, income to rent: Nessoo platform data. Rents, concessions and borough chart: StreetEasy, Sept 2026.How we source numbers →
The Nessoo Field Guide

Renting in New York, step by step.

Read the full guide
  1. 01Set a budgetRent, fees and the 40x rule.
  2. 02Verify onceIncome and identity, verified once at the source.
  3. 03Get matchedApartments apply to you.
  4. 04TourWhat to check in person.
  5. 05Sign the leaseClauses worth a second read.
  6. 06Move inUtilities, movers, day one.
THE NESSOO REPORT · WEEKDAYS 7 AM ET

The NYC rental market in five minutes.

Three numbers and one take on NYC renting, from Gabe Einhorn. Free, every weekday.