QUEENS, NY — Renters dreaming of Queens life now have some good news—average one-bedroom prices have dipped to $2,761 a month, per a new study.
While that price may still feel steep to some, it marks a welcome dip in Queens one-bedroom rents compared to last year.
According to Zumper’s National Rent Index, rents are still trending downward nationwide, though the pace of cooling has slowed for the second straight month—suggesting downward pressure on prices could be easing.
New York City, however, remains the most expensive U.S. market for one-bedroom apartments.
Borough-wide, the median rent sits at $3,273, marking an 18 percent decrease compared to last year.
The steepest drop occurred in three-bedroom units, where the average rent fell to $3,500 in March, a 44 percent decline year over year.
Even with those price drops, Queens remains far pricier than most cities nationwide—the area’s median rent across all property types is 71 percent, or $1,364, higher than the national average.
One of the few places in the borough bucking the downward trend is Jackson Heights. Rental data shows median rent for all bedroom counts and property types there hit $2,250 as of March 2026, a two percent increase over 2025.
Adding to the bigger picture, a recent StreetEasy report found NYC rental inventory fell 5.5 percent year over year to 25,989 units in February.
Citywide median asking rent rose 8.2 percent to $3,950 as demand outpaces supply. Manhattan led with a 3.5 percent inventory drop—its 24th straight month of declines, the longest ever.
For Queens renters, though, these shifts mean a small break in the city’s largest borough.