Renters seeking more living space in New York City have found a sole refuge in Queens, which is the only borough where new apartments have expanded in size over the last ten years. This trend places Queens fifth nationally for the largest increase in apartment living space among the 100 largest U.S. cities, according to a recent analysis by RentCafe.
The average apartment size in Queens has grown to 732 square feet, a 16-square-foot increase compared to a decade ago. This growth surpasses the national average increase of 13 square feet, which has brought the typical U.S. apartment to 910 square feet in 2025. Despite this expansion, Queens apartments remain smaller than the national average, trailing by over 175 square feet.
In contrast, apartments in Brooklyn and Manhattan have shrunk. Brooklyn now ranks as the fourth smallest market nationwide, with average apartment sizes decreasing by six square feet over the decade to 714 square feet. Manhattan's apartment sizes have remained relatively stagnant, averaging 735 square feet, with little change observed since 2016.
This divergence in apartment sizes is attributed to development strategies. In high-demand markets like Manhattan and Brooklyn, developers have prioritized constructing more studio and one-bedroom units to maximize the number of apartments within a single building. This approach, while increasing housing availability, leads to a reduction in average square footage per unit. RentCafe research analyst Veronica Grecu noted that decreasing average apartment sizes does not necessarily equate to reduced value for renters, particularly in markets with high demand and historically tight inventory, as developers focus on meeting the needs of single-person and smaller households.
Even with its gains, Queens' average apartment size of 732 square feet is considerably smaller than the nation's most spacious market, Tallahassee, Florida, where apartments average 1,156 square feet. Nonetheless, Queens offers a contrasting trajectory to its neighboring boroughs, with its apartment sizes moving in a direction favorable to renters seeking more space.