What is a Junior 4 Apartment in NYC and How Does It Compare to a Studio?

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The term "Junior 4" appears frequently in NYC rental listings — and it confuses almost everyone who has not rented in the city before.

What is a Junior 4: A Junior 4 is a one-bedroom apartment with four rooms: a bedroom, living room, kitchen and a small fourth room. This fourth room — sometimes called a "maid's room," home office or dining alcove — typically lacks a window and cannot legally be called a second bedroom. Despite having four rooms, it is usually marketed as a one-bedroom.

How it compares to a studio:

A studio is one open room; a Junior 4 has four distinct spaces
A Junior 4 offers significantly more privacy and separation than any studio type
Junior 4s can often be flexed into a two-bedroom by adding a temporary wall to the fourth room

How it compares to an alcove studio:

An alcove studio has one open room with a sleeping nook; a Junior 4 has a true separate bedroom
A Junior 4 costs more than an alcove studio and is closer to a full one-bedroom in price

Average pricing in NYC in 2026:

Junior 4: $3,200–$4,800/month depending on borough and condition
Alcove studio: $2,600–$3,800/month
Standard studio: $2,200–$3,200/month

When a Junior 4 makes more sense than a studio:

You work from home and need a separate workspace
You want bedroom privacy without paying full one-bedroom prices
You plan to have a regular overnight guest or occasional roommate