By Introduction
Brooklyn remains one of New York City’s most desirable boroughs—but just how affordable can it be? While average rent prices hover around $2,906/month for a one-bedroom, savvy renters can still find Cheap Rent in Brooklyn ny options—especially studios or shared living arrangements. This article dives into budget-friendly listings from Zillow’s “cheap apartments” page, compares them to market-wide rent data, and explores strategies for scoring lower rent in Brooklyn.
1. What Is Considered Cheap Rent in Brooklyn NY?
RentCafe defines “cheap” as anything below the local average rent of $4,541/month—meaning apartments under roughly $3,633 qualify.
Apartments.com reports the average studio rent at $2,651/month, and a one-bedroom at $2,906/month—with two-bedrooms trending at ~$3,898/month.
So in practical terms: studios under $2,600, one-bedrooms under $2,900, and two-bedrooms under $3,500 represent the most budget-pleasing options. For renters on a tight budget, this means targeting listings that fall 15–30% below the city’s median rates. These may not be luxury units, but they often include older rent-stabilized apartments, basement-level studios, or properties in up-and-coming neighborhoods. With persistence and flexibility, affordable options still exist in Brooklyn’s competitive market.
2. Sample “Cheap Apartments” from Zillow Listings
Zillow’s “Cheap Apartments in Brooklyn” page offers listings sorted by lowest rent. Notable entries include:
i.) Sutter Houses, 701 Ralph Ave
Studio from $1,089+, one-bedroom at $1,136+, two-bedroom at $1,348+ — exceptionally low-end pricing.
ii.) 2518 E 19th St #1 (11235)
Two-bedroom for $1,400/month (one bath).
iii.) 2740 Liberty Ave #1 (11208)
Also among the cheapest units (details loading but likely under ~$1,500).
These represent truly bottom-tier rent listings—rarely available and often part of public housing or subsidized developments. Because of their affordability, these units are in high demand and usually have long waiting lists or income eligibility requirements, making them less accessible to the general public without advance planning or qualification.
3. Comparison: Zillow Listings vs. Market Averages
| Listing | Rent | Apartment Type | How It Compares |
| Sutter Houses Studio | ~$1,089 | Studio | ~60% below market average |
| 2518 E 19th St 2bd | $1,400 | Two bedroom | ~65% below typical $3,898 rate |
| Liberty Ave | ~<$1,500 | Likely 1–2 bd | Exceptionally low compared to $2,600–3,900 |
These listings are outliers in affordability—most rentals in Brooklyn fall in the $2,500–4,000/month range.
4. Why Are These Listings So Cheap?
- Likely part of subsidized or rent-stabilized housing.
- May include older buildings with fewer amenities.
- Possibly limited square footage or no individual unit bathrooms.
- Often located in less central areas such as East Flatlands, East New York, or Brownsville.
Indeed, rent-stabilized units in NYC generally rent for ~$1,500/month or less—compared to ~$2,000+/month for market-rate units. RentReboot, a tool launched recently, helps renters track these stabilized deals. These units may not offer modern finishes, but they provide critical affordability in a city where rents are rapidly increasing. Finding one often requires diligence and timing.
5. How Far Does $1,500/Month Get You in Brooklyn?
Recent data reveals that $1,500 a month in Brooklyn typically buys about 297 sq ft—a cramped studio or a single room in a shared apartment. Nationally that same budget gets ~715 sq ft.
So many sub $1,500 listings are either shared housing (rooms in multi bed units) or very small studio units.
6. Neighborhood Trends & Affordability
StreetEasy’s 2025 Neighborhoods to Watch report highlights Greenwood Heights, Windsor Terrace, and Prospect Heights as rising areas—but rents there are growing, and not exactly cheap.
More affordable neighborhoods still include East New York, Brownsville, East Flatbush, and parts of Canarsie or Flatlands—where bottom-tier rents still occasionally dip into the low $1,500 to mid $2,000 range.
7. Practical Tips to Land Cheap Rent in Brooklyn
A. Target Rent‐Stabilized Buildings
Use tools like RentReboot to find verified rent-stabilized listings often not flagged on StreetEasy or Zillow.
B. Time Your Search
Search during off-season months—December through February—when landlords are more motivated to fill vacancies.
C. Be Open to Roommates or Shared Housing
Many ultra-cheap rents—such as $1,089 studios—are likely shared setups or minimal spaces. Consider sharing to stay within budget.
D. Skip Amenities
Cheap units may lack in-unit laundry, updated kitchens, elevators, or doormen. Prioritize essentials over perks.
E. Neighborhood Flexibility
Look in outer neighborhoods with less demand—but still within access to transit (subways or buses).
8. Listing Comparison in Context
- <$1,100/month studios (e.g. Sutter Houses) are exceptional deals—even city-run or heavily subsidized.
- Two bedroom at $1,400/month (e.g. 2518 E 19th St) is dramatically below typical $3,898 market-rate two-bedroom average.
- Most units under $2,000/month in Zillow’s results are either studios or single rooms in multi-bedroom flats, often without modern finishes.
9. Real Renter Perspective: Reddit Snapshots
Renters in Brooklyn share that typical room rent in shared flats ranges from $1,300 up to $1,850 depending on neighborhood. For instance:
“I pay $1,390 for my room in a 4 bed/3 bath in Clinton Hill, but our total rent is ~$5,600.”
That indicates a full two bedroom unit easily costs ~$3,500–4,000/month—reinforcing that extremely cheap rentals ($1,400 total) are atypical and rare.
10. Summary:Cheap Rent in Brooklyn NY
- Exceptional bargains (< $1,500 total rent): likely room rentals or highly subsidized studios.
- Affordable range ($1,500–2,600): often shared housing, older studios, or high density cheap buildings.
- Average cheap units (~$2,600–2,900): modest studios or one bedrooms in more accessible neighborhoods.
- Anything above $3,500: approaching the average two-bedroom price—no longer cheap by local definitions.
11. Sample Narrative Content (Start of Long Form Article)
How Far Your Dollar Gets You
Brooklyn boasts nearly 5,000 active rental listings—among them thousands tagged as “cheap” on Zillow’s filters. Yet your success depends on flexibility: expect modest space, few amenities, and shared occupancy.
The real sweet spots include listings like Sutter Houses (studio from ~$1,089/month) or 2518 E 19th St (2 bedroom at $1,400/month). These rents trail typical market rates by 60–70%, but they’re the exception—not the rule.
By contrast, most studios in outer Brooklyn rent between $2,000–2,600/month, and one-bedrooms from $2,600–2,900/month—still affordable compared to borough averages, but not dramatically below average.
12. Final Advice: Maximize Your Budget
- Use rent stabilized alerts (like RentReboot) to find hidden, below market gems.
- Act in the off-season for better negotiating power.
- Expand beyond downtown Brooklyn—and weigh trade offs in amenities.
- Consider sharing space to reduce unit cost dramatically.
Conclusion
In a borough where average rents for studios and one bedrooms approach $2,600–2,900/month, truly cheap rent under ~$1,500/month—is rare but possible. These listings tend to be rent-stabilized units or shared arrangements. For more attainable but still budget-friendly options, aim for studios or solo units in the $1,500–2,900/month range.
With the right strategy timing, tools, neighborhood flexibility, and shared housing—Brooklyn can still be accessible, even on a tight budget.
