If you're looking for a two-bedroom apartment in the Bronx, the monthly rent can exceed $1,300 depending on the neighborhood. As of September, the average listed rent in Riverdale was $3,699, while Morris/University Heights was $2,397.

As for October figures, as of the time I checked, the Bronx October rent report had not yet been released. So today, I will summarize the latest available data from September. Please do not interpret this as October data.

The rent figures are based on the Bronx rent report from the real estate company MNS. This data compiles the listing prices of properties available on the market in mid-month, excluding listings over $10,000.

The areas surveyed include only Concourse/Highbridge, Morris/University Heights, Mott Haven, and Riverdale. It's important to note that this does not reflect the average rent paid by all Bronx tenants.

According to MNS, the average rent in September was $2,705, which is a 0.71% increase from August's $2,686. Compared to a year ago, this represents a 1.70% rise.

Looking at the breakdown by unit type, the trends vary. Studios averaged $2,158, down 7.21% from a year ago. One-bedrooms averaged $2,716, up 7.72%, and two-bedrooms averaged $3,243, up 2.92%.

The gap between studios and one-bedrooms has widened significantly. The difference, which was $195 a year ago, is now $558.

Neighborhood variations are even more pronounced. The one-bedroom in Concourse/Highbridge was the most expensive at $3,023, while Morris/University Heights had the lowest at $2,050.

The one-bedroom price in Concourse/Highbridge surprised me as well. It dropped from $2,479 in September last year to $2,131 in December, before exceeding $3,000.

However, these figures can fluctuate based on the composition of listings that month. The one-bedroom in Morris/University Heights also jumped 10.73% in just one month, but I wouldn't conclude neighborhood pricing based on just one month of data.

Mott Haven had the most expensive studio at $2,704 among the four areas, although this is lower than last year's $2,798. The two-bedroom also decreased from $3,681 to $3,533.

In Riverdale, the situation varies even within the same neighborhood. The two-bedroom is the highest among the four areas, but the studio dropped to $1,867, an 8.89% decrease in just one month.

There is also a significant variable this year: the rent stabilization apartments.

The New York City Rent Guidelines Board set the rent increase rates for one- and two-year leases to 0% on June 25, with a vote of 7 to 1. This will apply to leases starting between October 1, 2026, and September 30, 2027, according to Official Order 58.

This is the first time that two-year leases have been frozen. Last year, the increases were 3% for one-year leases and 4.5% for two-year leases.

This is a welcome decision for tenants. However, landlords are concerned that repairs and maintenance will decrease. If a building's costs continue to rise, their concerns are not unfounded.

There is a point that can be confusing. The freeze applies to stabilized apartment leases, while the MNS figures above reflect the listing prices of properties on the market. If you're unsure whether your home is subject to stabilization, you can request your rental history from the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR) to verify.

Now, let's talk about home prices. There are two sources, and the difference in numbers is significant, so they should be viewed separately.

According to the real estate data site PropertyShark, the median sale price in the Bronx for September was $600,000, a 4.3% increase from a year ago. When looking at the third quarter, it rises to $620,000, a 10.7% increase.

In the same report, transactions decreased. There were 128 transactions in September, a 39.3% decrease, and 580 transactions in the third quarter, a 14.1% decrease.

PropertyShark's September median values by type are $811,000 for single-family homes, $335,000 for condos, and $243,000 for co-ops. Although condos increased by 34.2%, there were only 27 transactions, so I don't place much significance on that.

The other source is the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR) second-quarter data. This combines OneKey MLS and city finance department transaction records, showing a median value of $400,000 for the April to June period, a 9.3% increase from the previous year, with 324 transactions.

Since the periods and methods of aggregation differ, interpreting the increase from $400,000 to $600,000 as a $200,000 rise would be incorrect. Just note that both figures indicate an increase compared to last year.

The HGAR second-quarter data also shows neighborhood differences. Soundview has a median of $712,715, Riverdale $350,000, and Parkchester $269,500.

It may seem strange that Riverdale, with high rents, has a low median sale price. I believe this is largely due to the prevalence of co-op transactions in that neighborhood. The meaning of the numbers can vary significantly depending on which side of the borough you are looking at.

According to HGAR, the number of listings at the end of the second quarter was 854, a 7.4% decrease, with inventory at 6.9 months.

If you're looking for rent, it's best to narrow down by neighborhood and unit type before considering the Bronx average. Since studios have decreased from a year ago, it might be worth trying to negotiate before accepting the listed price.

If you're considering buying, you should differentiate by type. Co-ops require consideration of monthly maintenance fees and board approval, so it's misleading to judge them solely based on median values.

It's better to set aside the question of what the current average is in the Bronx. The median values during a period of decreased transactions can easily skew, so I would first look at trends over three months and actual transactions by neighborhood.

When the October report comes out, compare it only with sources from September. Mixing sources can quickly lead to misleading conclusions.