True Cost of Renting in The Bronx, NYC

The Bronx offers the lowest median rents of NYC's five boroughs while maintaining full subway access to Manhattan jobs. Riverdale in the northwest is a leafy neighborhood with views of the Hudson, while the South Bronx is experiencing genuine investment and gentrification pressure. Con Edison serves the entire borough, and the 1/2/4/5/6/B/D subway lines provide solid coverage.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Riverdale

Studio:
$1,500/mo
1 Bed:
$1,900/mo
2 Bed:
$2,700/mo

Affluent northern neighborhood overlooking the Hudson River; mix of large cooperative buildings and apartment complexes. 1 train to Midtown in 35–45 minutes. Car ownership common; street parking easier than southern Bronx. Con Edison electric.

Fordham / Belmont

Studio:
$1,200/mo
1 Bed:
$1,600/mo
2 Bed:
$2,200/mo

Central Bronx near Fordham University and the Bronx Zoo; primarily Latino community with strong small business culture. D/4 subway access. Most affordable NYC rents near transit. Older building stock — budget for higher Con Edison bills in summer.

Mott Haven / South Bronx

Studio:
$1,400/mo
1 Bed:
$1,800/mo
2 Bed:
$2,500/mo

Rapidly gentrifying southernmost Bronx neighborhood; new construction mixed with older buildings. 6 train to Manhattan in 15–20 minutes — the best transit value in the borough. Art galleries and new restaurants signal continued investment. Renters insurance recommended.

Utility Providers

Electric
Con Edison (Consolidated Edison)
Water
NYC Department of Environmental Protection (typically landlord-included)
Internet
Spectrum, Verizon Fios, Optimum

Commute & Transportation

The Bronx has the most subway lines of any outer borough relative to its size. The 4/5/6 IRT Lexington Avenue express runs through the heart of the Bronx with direct service to Grand Central in 20–25 minutes from Mott Haven. The D/B trains cross the Bronx from east to west and connect to Midtown via the D Express. Metro-North (Harlem and New Haven lines) serves the Bronx with express service to Grand Central. Major employers in the Bronx: Montefiore Medical Center (25,000 employees), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, BronxCare Health System, and New York Presbyterian. Yankee Stadium drives local commercial activity around the 161st Street station.

Rental Market Overview

The Bronx offers NYC's lowest rents with genuine subway access — a 1BR in Mott Haven with a 20-minute subway commute to Midtown is an extraordinary value proposition by NYC standards. The tradeoff is that South Bronx gentrification has accelerated since 2018, compressing the affordability window. Rent stabilization covers a significant portion of Bronx apartments — check DHCR records. Con Edison serves the borough at standard NYC rates. Broker fees are less common than in Manhattan. Many older buildings are HDFC cooperatives or subsidized housing — income limits may apply for some units. Building age means higher winter heating bills in non-upgraded units.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in The Bronx

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Renting in The Bronx: Common Questions

What is the average rent in The Bronx?
One-bedroom apartments in The Bronx range from $1,600/month in Fordham / Belmont to $1,900/month in Riverdale. Two-bedroom units range from $2,200 to $2,700/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in The Bronx?
In The Bronx, electricity is provided by Con Edison (Consolidated Edison), water by NYC Department of Environmental Protection (typically landlord-included), and common internet providers include Spectrum, Verizon Fios, Optimum. Ask the leasing office for the specific unit's average monthly bill rather than a city-wide figure — utility costs vary more by building age and insulation than by location within The Bronx.
What neighborhoods are affordable in The Bronx?
Fordham / Belmont is the most affordable of the 3 The Bronx neighborhoods covered here, at $1,600/month for a one-bedroom — $300 less than Riverdale, roughly a 16% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is The Bronx expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in The Bronx runs about $1,767/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. The Bronx offers NYC's lowest rents with genuine subway access — a 1BR in Mott Haven with a 20-minute subway commute to Midtown is an extraordinary value proposition by NYC standards. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

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