From the East Coast to the West Coast, famous gay neighborhoods in the USA have become the stomping grounds and safe spaces necessary for a thriving LGBTQ+ community, but not all queer neighborhoods are created equal. Some require a heavier wallet, and others offer a good time to anyone no matter their income. We’re highlighting some of the most and least expensive gayborhoods in the country, according to recent data from Advocate, and if you’re lucky, you can visit them all.
Most Expensive Gayborhoods
It’s easy to predict that the gay neighborhoods of New York and California are some of the most expensive in the world. Long Island is known for its wealth, and with a median home price of around $1.4 million according to Redfin, the Hamptons are the most expensive section. The LGBTQ+ rich and famous surely vacation here and may even have second properties here. Despite this, LGBTQ+ friendly bars and queer-owned businesses are a bit sparse.
In New York City, home to some of the most buzzing gayborhoods in the country, the obvious neighborhoods make the list as some of the most expensive. These include Park Slope in Brooklyn and Greenwich Village and Chelsea in Manhattan.
Staying on the east coast, Massachusetts’ Provincetown (Ptown) also gets an honorable mention. Here the median home price is $1.6 million. Similar figures can be found on gay-friendly Cape May in New Jersey and Rehoboth Beach in Delaware.
Los Angeles is a sprawling city with neighborhoods to suit nearly every personality. The Advocate reports Silver Lake is very popular with the LGBTQ+ community, offering a wide selection of LGBTQ+ businesses, cafes, music venues, clubs and more. The neighborhood is not just queer, it’s the modern definition of “hip.”
Laguna Beach, however, takes the cake as the most expensive gay friendly neighborhood in the U.S. Redfin reports this area has a median home price of $2.5 million.
Most Affordable Gayborhoods
Those who are looking to travel on a budget often have to get creative with their travel choices. This includes picking money-smart destinations. And good experiences can be found almost anywhere if you know where to look. Here’s some of the most unexpected affordable LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhoods in the country, according to Advocate.
On the east coast, Atlantic City, New Jersey has been playing host to good times for generations. Renowned for its casinos, historic boardwalk, free beaches, and glittering nightlife, the LGBTQ+ community is welcome to come and play to win at America’s Playground.
Unsuspecting Ferndale, Michigan has been nurturing a growing queer community since the 1980s. The city even elected the state’s first gay mayor in 2007. Today, the community continues to be supported by the Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center.
Though it may be less shiny than The Grove of Los Angeles, The Grove arts district of St. Louis, Missouri offers several LGBTQ+ bars, a community of nature lovers and athletes, and boasts the nation’s first Transgender Memorial Garden.
As has been increasingly apparent in recent years, Minneapolis is home to a huge community of activists, resisters, and advocates who aren’t afraid to fight for their rights and the rights of others. That’s why it should be no surprise that Uptown Minneapolis is home to a vibrant arts community, queer-friendly businesses and residents. Plus, a median home price of $232,000 keeps you on budget. The Loring Park neighborhood is also a queer friendly haven and host of the annual Twin Cities Pride Festival.
Other honorable mentions that are paramount in affordability for LGBTQ+ folks include: queer populated Midtown Harrisburg in Pennsylvania; Highland Square in Akron, Ohio; and Portland, Oregon’s historic Chinatown.
Ybor City, Tampa, Florida ranked as the country’s second most affordable gayborhood with a median house price of $170,000. Not only is this neighborhood queer-friendly, it also is historically and culturally significant with a large Cuban and Spanish population.
Ranking as the most affordable gayborhood in the nation is the Hawley-Green Historic District in Syracuse, New York. Up near the border to Canada, this city boasts a median home price at $145,000, historical restored Victorian homes, beautiful gardens, and a growing culinary, bar, and small business scene.
