Stretching from Riverside Drive to Morningside Drive, Morningside Heights is an Upper Manhattan neighborhood that’s home to some of the city’s top academic institutions. “Many people think of Columbia University when they think of Morningside Heights,” says Joan Kagan, licensed associate real estate broker with over 15 years of experience and founder of the Joan Kagan at The Agency NYC. “But it's also Barnard College, Manhattan School of Music, Teacher's College, Jewish Theological Seminary.” And while college campuses—and off-campus housing—dominate much of the area, Morningside Heights is known for its historic homes, expansive parks and easy connections to Manhattan’s west side. “Morningside Heights is quieter and slower paced, but you’re still in New York City,” says Julia Boland, licensed associate real estate broker at The Corcoran Group, who has over ten years of experience selling in Upper Manhattan. “All you have to do is hop on the 1 train and you’re at Lincoln Center.”
Morningside Heights
Urban Core Neighborhood in Manhattan, New York
New York County 10024, 10025, 10026, 10027

Landmarked buildings lend a distinguished presence
More than 100 buildings are a part of the Morningside Heights Historic District, covering residential and institutional structures. “The landmark restrictions are pretty strict, so most of the buildings are lower,” explains Kagan. "What that means is the avenues feel wider and the streets feel lighter and brighter. And you have a lot of elegant older buildings.” Co-ops in prewar buildings and newly renovated units within condos provide the most available housing in Morningside Heights. Two-bedroom co-ops range from about $600,000 to $1.3 million, while two-bedroom condos in a new luxury building like Robert A.M. Stern’s Claremont Hall range from $1.7 million to $2.5 million. “Townhouses and single-family homes are rare. For one of these, you’re unlikely to find anything less than $4 million,” says Kagan. For those on a more modest budget, a studio in a co-op building can be bought for about $300,000 to $600,000.
Not only the universities score highly in academics
While Columbia University is the area's most famous institution, several highly regarded kindergarten through twelfth-grade schools are also throughout Morningside Heights. The neighborhood's youngest can get a solid educational foundation at P.S. 125 Ralph Bunche school. It receives B-plus ratings on Niche and a 10/10 for student progress, according to Great Schools. Students in grades 6-12 may attend Columbia Secondary School which is highly ranked for its academics and diverse student body. It receives an A-plus from Niche.
Flanked by Riverside and Morningside parks
Lush green spaces bookend Morningside Heights. Riverside Park stretches along the western boundary and offers sweeping views of the Hudson River. At the north end of the park is the monumental Grant’s Tomb, the largest mausoleum in the US. The park also has a bird sanctuary where visitors might see white-throated sparrows and great blue herons, among several other native and migrating species. On the neighborhood’s east side is Morningside Park, which includes everything from children’s playgrounds to a cascading waterfall. It’s a socially and culturally dynamic green space that serves the Morningside Heights community, and Central Harlem and Little Senegal to the east.
Old-school eateries including the “Seinfeld” diner
Tom’s Restaurant, whose façade was made famous in “Seinfeld,” is perhaps the neighborhood’s most famous dining spot, but a close second is the Hungarian Pastry Shop, where locals come for Eastern European-style pastries and traditional Hungarian coffee in the quiet setting of this 1960s-era café. A contemporary favorite is Community Food & Juice for organic, seasonal fare. Pisticci is a smart trattoria serving Italian favorites like rigatoni à la vodka. West Side Market on Broadway is a go-to spot for groceries and there’s a year-round farmers market taking place every week at the entrance to Columbia.
Community events like Culture on the Corner
Several neighborhood universities welcome the surrounding community with free and open programming. One is Culture on the Corner, an event series that creatively explores the vibrant neighborhood culture at The Forum on Columbia’s campus. During the Morningside Lights festival each September, dozens of large and colorful lanterns brighten the neighborhood’s evening sky. Every April, locals flock to Sakura Park off Riverside Drive to view the vividly pink cherry tree blossoms in bloom. Next to the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, residents can enjoy the community garden at West 111th Street.
A single train line, but easily accessible
For transportation, the local 1 train stops at the neighborhood’s three subway stations along Broadway, beginning at 110th Street. Riders can connect at the 96th Street station for the express 2 and 3 trains.


Agents Specializing in this Area
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Melissa Leifer
Keller Williams NYC
(888) 504-4756
100 Total Sales
1 in Morningside Heights
$595,000 Price
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Wesley Stanton
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
(929) 552-0989
71 Total Sales
1 in Morningside Heights
$1,285,000 Price
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Ken Laino
Manhattan Network Inc
(888) 618-6301
50 Total Sales
1 in Morningside Heights
$531,000 Price
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Dylan Hoffman
Compass
(646) 974-9914
182 Total Sales
2 in Morningside Heights
$460K - $965K Price Range
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Joe Davila
Sothebys International Realty
(862) 270-2157
29 Total Sales
1 in Morningside Heights
$555,000 Price
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Norhana Ariffin
Responds QuicklyBrown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC
(877) 606-8556
70 Total Sales
1 in Morningside Heights
$2,650,000 Price
Schools
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Transit
Reviews
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Morningside Heights | US |
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Homicide | 3 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
Robbery | 5 | 4 |
Burglary | 2 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
Larceny | 3 | 4 |
Crime Score | 3 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Morningside Heights, Manhattan sell after 95 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Morningside Heights, Manhattan over the last 12 months is $1,879,216, up 19% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Home Facts
Open Houses
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Sunday, Apr 2712 - 1pm
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Sunday, Apr 2711:30am - 1pm
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Sunday, Apr 271:30 - 3pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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