Where To Stay On A Budget In New York - 4 Affordable Options
Wondering where to stay on a budget in New York?
For many, New York is a dream destination you’ve thought about your entire life. I was lucky enough to visit the Big Apple at the beginning of 2024.
It’s no secret that staying in New York is expensive, but I can assure you, there are budget-friendly options to enjoy your stay this concrete jungle without breaking the bank.
Iconic landmarks like Central Park, Times Square, and the Brooklyn Bridge offer great experiences that fit your budget.
And the city’s extensive public transportation system makes exploring the city cost-effective, and food options range from street vendors to affordable ethnic restaurants.
Cultural institutions, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, often have paid entrance fees.
New York’s energy and constant innovation ensure that even budget travelers can get a taste of the essence of the city that never sleeps.
The only thing is that you have to make a compromise and stay further away from the epicenter.
Fortunately, as mentioned, New York has an excellent public transportation system and without much hassle, you’ll be right where the action is happening.
In this article, we’ve put together a list of what we think are the best areas to stay in New York if you’re on a budget.
Each recommended area has its pros and cons, which we’ve conveniently summarized after each section.
Comparing those summarized sections will definitely come in handy to pick the area that suits you the most.
With that said, let’s get straight to our recommendations.
What are the best areas to stay in New York on a budget?
The best areas to stay in New York on a budget are Queens, Brooklyn, Jersey City, and Newark.
These four areas are located east and west of Lower Manhattan, meaning you have to travel a bit to see the main attractions. However, they offer significantly cheaper hotels, making them great areas for those looking for an affordable hotel.
The only trick to choosing one of these recommended areas is that you stay near one of the train or subway stations to travel cheaply to the amazing city called New York.
In addition to offering affordable hotels, most of these four famous areas offer their own attractions. Especially when it comes to local restaurants, you won’t be disappointed.
In the following paragraph, you can find an overview of each recommended neighborhood with a brief description. Click on the neighborhood and you will go directly to that part of the article.
1. Queens – An area located east of New York that offers excellent access to the subway that takes you directly to Manhattan. It also offers great food and amazing panoramic views, as well as a relatively calm atmosphere.
2. Brooklyn – A more lively area compared to Queens, and is also located east of New York. Brooklyn offers more nightlife, but it is a bit harder to find affordable accommodation.
3. Jersey City – Consider this area as a convenient base to explore New York on a budget, with good access to public transportation and plenty of affordable hotels. But you are further away from the tourist attractions and if you are not staying near the subway, it is quite a challenge to enjoy New York comfortably.
4. Newark – This area offers the most affordable hotels of all the recommended areas, but it is also the furthest from Manhattan and the main attractions in New York. However, you have great access to public transportation, and getting to the tourist epicenter is not that difficult.
The best areas to stay in New York on a budget are:
1. Queens
Arguably the best area to stay in New York if you are on a budget is Queens.
This area is located east of Midtown Manhattan, which is the epicenter of New York.
The most convenient part is that Queens has several subway lines that connect you to the epicenter of New York, so traveling between Queens and Midtown Manhattan is very easy.
Queens is part of Long Island, where JFK International Airport is located.
This comes in handy as you don’t have to travel far to your hotel, saving you money and time.
Overall, Queens is more of a residential area with one of the most multicultural populations.
This is directly reflected in the food offered here. Food lovers will be very excited to stay in this area.
But the best part is the incredible panoramic view. When you visit the waterfront area, you have the most spectacular view of the New York skyline.
Unfortunately, there are not many highlights in this area, unlike the next recommended area.
2. Brooklyn
Brooklyn is located south of Queens and is another great area to stay in New York if you are on a budget.
Home to both the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn also offers a spectacular view.
The biggest difference between Brooklyn and Queens is that Brooklyn offers a lot more nightlife, while Queens is a quieter area.
You also have great access to public transportation, but there are more things to do in Brooklyn.
For example, you can visit the Brooklyn Museum, Barclays Center, Green-Wood Cemetery, Kings Theater, and Grand Army Plaza.
The food scene in Brooklyn is out of this world.
Therefore, it seems that Brooklyn is a better option than Queens.
Well, you can find more affordable accommodations in Queens than in Brooklyn. That is the biggest difference.
But even if you are staying in Queens, there is a subway line that connects both areas, so traveling between them can be done without much hassle.
3. Jersey City
It’s pretty obvious that the further you stay from Manhattan and other expensive areas of New York City, the more affordable accommodation options you’ll have.
But Jersey City offers relatively lower rates than its counterparts across the river.
Jersey City is located just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, making it a convenient base for exploring New York City on a budget.
You can easily reach Manhattan via several transportation options, such as the PATH train, ferries, or buses.
Travel time is usually short, and you can save money on accommodation by staying in Jersey City while still having easy access to New York attractions.
One of the highlights of staying in Jersey City is the incredible views it offers of the Manhattan skyline.
Jersey City’s waterfront areas, such as Exchange Place and Newport, offer stunning views of the iconic skyline.
You can enjoy these views without the higher price tag associated with Manhattan accommodations.
It also has a diverse culinary scene with a wide range of dining options.
From local restaurants to international cuisine, you can find affordable restaurants and food stalls to suit different tastes and budgets.
Another benefit of staying in Jersey City is that it has several beautiful parks and recreational areas where you can relax and enjoy nature.
Liberty State Park, for example, offers stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. These parks are usually free or have minimal entrance fees, offering budget-friendly options for outdoor activities.
Unfortunately, Jersey City doesn’t offer any major attractions per se, but you’ll save quite a bit of money if you choose this area as your base and travel back and forth via public transportation.
4. Newark
Newark is another option to consider if you’re visiting New York City on a budget.
Like Jersey City, Newark offers more affordable accommodation options compared to Manhattan.
You can find budget hotels, motels, and guesthouses that offer lower rates, allowing you to save money on your stay.
Newark is located just a short distance from Manhattan, making it a convenient base for exploring New York City.
You can easily get to Manhattan using several transportation options, including trains, buses, and even the PATH train from Newark Penn Station.
Travel times are reasonable, and you can save significantly on accommodation costs compared to staying directly in New York City.
Since you’re located near Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the airports around New York, you can expect public transportation to the city center to be top-notch.
But here’s the thing: Newark is located the furthest from New York of all our recommended areas.
You’ll save a lot of money by choosing accommodation here, but you should keep in mind that getting to and from downtown takes a long time, especially compared to the other recommended areas.
Newark has some attractions, but for most visitors, the sights and attractions they want to see are in and around Manhattan.
Newark offers a wide range of affordable dining options, from local restaurants and pizzerias to ethnic restaurants.
It also offers a variety of entertainment venues, including the Prudential Center, a major sports and entertainment venue.
Depending on the program, you may be able to attend a concert, sporting event, or other performance at affordable prices.
Additionally, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center hosts a variety of cultural events and performances.
If you can’t find accommodation that fits your budget or tastes, you should know that it is possible to stay in Newark and explore New York City.