to Barry Edward Neistat (b. 1953), then a commercial kitchen appliance salesman, and Amy Louise (née Bickford; b. 1956). They later operated the Muddy Waters Cafe in New London, Connecticut. His paternal grandmother Louise Neistat (née Grossman; 1919-2011) was a professional tap dancer and instructor who primarily worked at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

He was brought up in Reform Judaism.