The Truth About New York City’s ‘Micro’ Apartments

NYC micro apartments are growing in popularity, offering perks such as living in desirable locations at a deep discount. However, they aren’t for everyone. Micro apartments are basically the apartment version of tiny houses.

These small dwellings are more common in big cities due to the rising need for affordable living in these areas. They’re perfect for some renters, especially if you’re a minimalist, but limited living and storage space are a dealbreaker for others.

What Are Micro Apartments?

Micro apartments are smaller than studio apartments. They’re one-room, compact living spaces with open floor plans and typically include a living room, sleeping space, and kitchenette. Most micro-apartments are located in large, dense cities where there’s a big demand for more affordable housing, like New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco.

There is no standard size for micro-apartments, but most range between 200 and 400 square feet. Many of these apartment complexes make up for their small units by including outdoor spaces and communal areas.

How Much Do Micro Apartments Cost in New York City?

The cost of micro apartments in NYC can vary depending on location, size, and included amenities. The average NYC micro apartment is around 300 square feet but units as small as 55 square feet — about the size of a parking space —have been found in the city.

The city’s first all-micro building, Carmel Place, is located in midtown Manhattan and offers micro apartments from 260 square feet to 360 square feet. Rent for these units ranges from $1,045 to $3,200 per month and includes weekly cleanings, a community lounge, onsite laundry, and free Wi-Fi and cable. Similarly, a Hamilton Heights apartment building offers 380 square feet of micro-apartments for $2,050 per month.

These aren’t the smallest NYC micro apartments you can find.

A 90-square-foot West Village apartment has a current monthly rent of $775. An 80-square-foot apartment in Manhattans midtown currently costs only $650 per month. These micro apartments come with even more sacrifices as many do not include in-unit kitchens or bathrooms, forcing renters to share these spaces.

Pros and Cons of NYC Micro Apartments

Micro apartments come with both advantages and disadvantages. Renting a micro apartment may save money on living expenses, but their small size leaves little room for anything but the basics. When considering a move into a micro apartment, it’s important to weigh both the pros and cons to make the best decision for your lifestyle.

Pros

• Micro apartments in the city are generally cheaper to rent than larger apartments. Their smaller size also means less spent on utilities.
• Builders and developers of NYC micro apartments entice renters by including more amenities. This may include access to balconies, rooftop gathering spots, communal game rooms, and external workspaces.
• Micro apartments require little maintenance and cleaning the apartment takes less time than in larger spaces.
• Renting in premium locations is now more attainable for renters on a budget.

Cons

• The most obvious downside is its small size. A one-bedroom apartment in the U.S. averages 1,156 square feet, while NYC micro apartments average around 300 square feet.
• Since micro apartments are relatively new, there’s only a small stock of units in the U.S. This makes these apartments hard to find and extremely competitive.
• The size of NYC micro apartments also makes finding appliances and furniture that fit challenging. Some manufacturers have even started producing smaller devices for these spaces.

Why Are They So Popular?

Recently, there have been viral Youtube and TikTok videos touring micro apartments.

For example, Youtuber Eric Conover shows off some of the smallest apartments in New York. One on the market last year was about 55 square feet priced at $1,400 per month. Caleb Simpson, another Youtuber who tours apartments in big cities, featured an 80-square-foot apartment located in Manhattan’s midtown for $650 per month on his channel.

NYC’s cost of living and rent has skyrocketed since the pandemic, and micro apartments give renters the opportunity to live in a nice area (without roommates) at a relatively affordable price.