How Common Are In-Unit Washer & Dryers in NYC Condos and Co-ops?
A data-driven resource to help prospective buyers in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
When you’re apartment hunting or thinking about buying in New York City, one question every New Yorker is opinionated about: Does it have a washer and dryer in the unit? In many other U.S. cities, in-unit laundry is practically a given — but in NYC, it’s a much different story.
When I represent buyers, I always look at historical trends to help guide the likelihood of success for the buyer’s criteria. This data and research are my attempt to conduct the same on a massive scale.
A Snapshot of the Reality
In-unit washers and dryers in NYC are still far from universal - even in condos and co-ops. Depending on the dataset and how you slice it, estimates show that only a minority of NYC apartments have in-unit laundry.
StreetEasy data has shown that in about 34% of rental listings, in-unit laundry is offered - and that number has been rising over the past few years as demand grows.
What Neighborhood has the most Washer/Dryers in units?
I looked at the 2025 Sales data to tackle this question. The most important way to slice is by buildings that allow a washer and dryer. Not surprisingly, these results were dominated by neighborhoods with the most construction. More than 96% of listings in Gowanus were in buildings that permitted washer and dryers?
Neighborhoods with more older buildings tend to have a lower percentage of unit options. Fort Greene is on the lowest end with around 65%. Downtown Brooklyn is interesting because there are a large number of units in high rises, and these buildings can have washer and dryers on floors and in different places than in the unit.
Disclaimer on source data: This information was pulled from all verified sales transactions from the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) for 2025. This is reported in the fields for “building allows,” which are controlled by real estate agents. This is not information directly from the co-op boards.
Are washer and dryers more Common in Bigger Units?
Larger apartments have more “wet space.” Wet space is what a building defines as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. When renovating in an apartment, especially a pre-war building, an alteration agreement will often specify “wet over wet” space. Even if a building allows for a washer and dryer, it will likely have to be installed in a wet space. With a studio and one bedroom, space is certainly at a premium.
If youre looking to buy a studio apartment, only 22% of listings had a washer and dryer in 2025- expect this to be a long search.
Two- and three-bedroom listings mentioned washers and dryers about 50% of the time. These are likely to be a bit more common, as I’ve filtered by listing description, and not every agent will include it.
Disclaimer on source data: This information was pulled from all verified sales transactions from the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) for 2025. This is reported for listing descriptions that mention washer. (Yes, in the year 2026, there is no structured data regarding w/d in units that I can report from!)
How much more does an apartment cost with a washer and dryer?
The short answer- quite a lot more. The rarer and smaller a washer and dryer is, the greater the price difference.
Studios with a washer and dryer sold for 36% more in 2025.
Disclaimer on source data: This information was pulled from all verified sales transactions from the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) for 2025. This is reported for listing descriptions that mention water. (Yes, in the year 2026, there is no structured data regarding w/d in units that I can report from!)
Condos vs. Co-ops: Different Stories
One of the biggest factors influencing whether you’ll find a washer and dryer in your unit is property type:
Condos: These are more likely to have in-unit laundry because many are newer buildings with modern plumbing and electrical systems. Older condo conversions may vary, but overall, condos have historically shown stronger numbers for in-unit washers than co-ops.
Co-ops: Many co-op buildings, especially classic pre-war co-ops that dominate Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, don’t allow in-unit washers and dryers. This isn’t just about preference; it’s often due to structural and plumbing limitations. Co-ops built before modern appliances were standard simply weren’t designed to support the water flow, drainage, and electrical load that multiple machines would require.
How common are washer and dryers in Co-op’s?
In 2025, 80% of buildings with sales allowed washer-dryers. This number frankly suprised me.
Why So Few in Older Buildings?
There are several reasons washers and dryers remain uncommon in many NYC condos and especially co-ops:
Plumbing and infrastructure limits: Older buildings often lack the waste-pipe capacity to handle multiple in-unit washers without backups and flooding risks.
Board and building rules: Co-ops in particular may prohibit in-unit laundry or only allow it on a case-by-case basis.
Risk of damage: Water leaks in high-density buildings can quickly cause damage and disputes, so boards often err on the side of caution.
Noise and vibration: Machines can be noisy and disturb neighbors in thin-walled units, another reason some co-ops resist allowing them.
Trends Are Shifting, Slowly
Despite the challenges, demand for in-unit laundry is high. StreetEasy has tracked in-unit washer/dryer features becoming one of the most-searched amenities on apartment listings, and developers in newer condo buildings often include them by default.
Even some older buildings are gradually adapting: co-ops and condos will sometimes grandfather existing machines or permit installations with strict requirements (e.g., leak pans, shut-off valves, specific machine types).
What This Means for Buyers and Renters
If an in-unit washer and dryer are on your must-have list, here’s what to keep in mind:
Condos generally provide better odds of in-unit laundry than co-ops - but it’s by no means guaranteed.
Check the building’s rules early - even if hookups physically exist, board approval may be required.
Newer construction typically offers the highest likelihood of in-unit laundry because infrastructure and amenities are built with current expectations in mind.
Design compromises (like stackable units squeezed into closets) are common — but many buyers see them as worth the convenience.
Conclusion
In-unit washers and dryers are much more common than they used to be in NYC condos and co-ops — but they’re still far from standard. Factors like building age, infrastructure, co-op rules, and neighborhood trends all influence how likely you are to find this feature. If laundry convenience tops your priorities, condos — especially newer ones — are typically your best bet, while co-ops might require more legwork and approval to make it happen.