Brooklyn and the Bronx, both boroughs in New York City, offer vastly different experiences for residents and tourists alike. Though they share a similar climate due to their geographic proximity, they differ in aspects such as culture, cost of living, and economy. Let's delve into an in-depth comparison to provide a clearer picture of life in each borough.
In general, both Brooklyn and the Bronx have seen a decrease in crime rates over the years, aligning with the downward trend seen across New York City. However, their crime rates are still higher compared to the city's safer boroughs like Staten Island. Brooklyn tends to be safer than the Bronx with some of its neighborhoods like Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, and Brooklyn Heights being particularly safe. The crime dynamics in the Bronx tend to fluctuate more, with neighborhoods like Riverdale being quite safe and others like Hunts Point being less so.
Cost of Living
Living costs are high in both boroughs, as in the rest of New York City. However, the Bronx is generally less expensive than Brooklyn. The median home price in Brooklyn is significantly higher than in the Bronx, and the cost of goods and services is also generally more expensive in Brooklyn. Rent prices also tend to be higher in Brooklyn than in the Bronx.
Income Tax
New York City residents, regardless of the borough, are subject to the same income tax rates. Those range from 3.078% to 3.876%, depending on the tax bracket. On top of this, there's the New York State income tax which varies from 4% to 8.82%.
Property Tax
In both Brooklyn and the Bronx, home buyers will be subject to the city's property tax. The actual tax rate may vary based on specific property characteristics but generally, property taxes in the Bronx tend to be lower than those in Brooklyn due to lower home prices.
Sales Tax
Per New York State law, both Brooklyn and the Bronx have the same sales tax rate of 8.875%. This combines the New York state sales tax rate of 4%, the New York City sales tax rate of 4.5%, and the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District surcharge of 0.375%.
Income
Type
Brooklyn
Bronx
Estimated median household income
$67,567
$43,011
Estimated per capita income
$39,536
$23,354
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
185.4
172.8
If you make $50,000 in Bronx, you will have to make $53,646 in Brooklyn to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Geographically, Brooklyn is on the westernmost point of Long Island and boasts numerous coastal areas. The Bronx, located north of Manhattan, is the only borough that's mainly on the U.S. mainland and is notable for its numerous parks and open spaces.
Geographical information
Type
Brooklyn
Bronx
Land area
70.6 sq. miles
42 sq. miles
Population density
35,956 people per sq. mile
32,928 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Brooklyn, NY Bronx, NY
Education
Both boroughs have several noteworthy educational institutions. Brooklyn boasts more universities, colleges, and private schools, making it a more prominent education hub. These institutions include Brooklyn Law School, Pratt Institute, and Polytechnic Institute at NYU. Meanwhile, in the Bronx, the educational focus is on high-quality public institutions like the Bronx High School of Science and some private universities like Fordham University.
Brooklyn's economy is diverse, with strong sectors in technology, design, and service industries. The Bronx's economy, meanwhile, is more dependent on healthcare, education, and public administration sectors. Brooklyn typically has a lower unemployment rate than the Bronx, indicating a more robust job market. However, because of the Bronx's close proximity to Manhattan, it offers plenty of work opportunities off borough too.
Biggest Employers
Brooklyn's largest employers are in the healthcare sector, like NYU Langone Health and Maimonides Medical Center. The public sector is also a significant employer with both NYC Department of Education and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority providing jobs. In contrast, the Bronx also boasts several large hospitals as its biggest employers, including Montefiore Medical Center and Bronx-Lebanon Hospital. The public sector too contributes heavily in employment with the NYC Department of Education being a significant employer.
In Brooklyn (Kings County), 82.1% voted for Democrats and 16.9% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Bronx (Bronx County), 91.9% voted for Democrats and 8.1% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Brooklyn
Bronx
Brooklyn
Bronx
Brooklyn
Bronx
2020
76.9%
83.7%
22.2%
16.0%
1.0%
0.3%
2016
79.6%
88.6%
17.5%
9.5%
2.9%
2.0%
2012
82.1%
91.9%
16.9%
8.1%
0.9%
0.0%
2008
79.9%
89.0%
20.1%
11.0%
0.0%
0.0%
2004
75.0%
82.9%
24.3%
16.5%
0.7%
0.6%
2000
81.0%
86.5%
15.7%
11.8%
3.3%
1.7%
1996
80.1%
85.8%
15.1%
10.5%
4.9%
3.7%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Brooklyn
Bronx
Brooklyn
Bronx
CATHOLIC CHURCH
24.9%
25.5%
7.5%
11.5%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.8%
2.8%
4.2%
3.9%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.9%
0.7%
3.8%
4.4%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
1.0%
0.7%
5.2%
6.5%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.7%
0.4%
2.3%
3.7%
Weather
Given their proximity within New York City, Brooklyn and the Bronx experience similar weather. They have a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters. They both benefit from their coastal locations, which moderate temperature extremes and provide abundant sunshine.
Weather and climate
Type
Brooklyn
Bronx
Temperature - Average
55.1°F
54.7°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
68.7%
67.2%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
26.1%
26.4%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
76.8%
75.6%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
50.7%
49.2%
Precipitation - Yearly average
46.5 in
47 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
53.4 in
54.5 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
16.7%
16.5%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.2%
60.2%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
20%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
64%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
44%
44%
Wind speed - Average
10.6 mph
10.7 mph
Average climate in Brooklyn, New York
Average climate in Bronx, New York
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Brooklyn
Bronx
Brooklyn
Bronx
Brooklyn
Bronx
Brooklyn
Bronx
Brooklyn
Bronx
Brooklyn
Bronx
Brooklyn
Bronx
Brooklyn
Bronx
2018
93
102
0.31
0.31
16.8
15.8
24.2
24.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.0
7.4
0.4
0.6
2017
95
100
0.25
0.04
17.0
15.7
24.5
24.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.1
7.0
0.3
0.6
2016
93
98
0.31
0.30
17.7
16.4
24.8
24.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.2
7.2
0.5
0.8
2015
100
105
0.38
0.28
18.2
18.0
24.1
23.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.0
8.6
0.7
1.4
2014
95
99
0.38
0.32
18.5
18.0
23.5
23.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.8
8.4
0.9
1.7
2013
96
103
0.41
0.39
18.9
18.9
24.4
23.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.5
9.3
1.0
2.1
2012
98
104
0.44
0.44
18.3
18.8
24.4
23.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.2
9.7
1.6
3.1
2011
107
113
0.43
0.46
20.7
20.9
23.6
22.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.3
11.6
2.4
4.5
2010
112
113
0.43
0.53
19.4
20.2
24.7
23.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.0
10.8
2.3
4.7
2009
104
107
0.43
0.53
21.5
22.3
20.7
19.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.2
10.8
3.1
5.4
2008
109
114
0.47
0.53
22.6
23.3
21.3
19.9
0.013
0.013
N/A
N/A
11.8
12.1
4.1
5.9
2007
121
122
0.53
0.60
23.5
24.6
20.8
19.1
0.016
0.016
N/A
N/A
12.4
13.2
4.8
7.0
2006
116
120
0.61
0.50
24.2
25.0
20.7
18.9
0.018
0.018
N/A
N/A
13.0
12.8
5.7
7.0
2005
107
115
0.74
0.60
26.1
27.0
19.6
17.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.5
9.3
2004
106
109
0.74
0.62
25.8
25.6
18.5
16.7
0.030
0.030
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.1
8.8
2003
107
110
0.81
0.75
27.4
27.4
18.4
17.1
0.021
0.022
26.9
26.9
N/A
N/A
7.4
8.9
2002
122
124
0.76
0.67
27.9
27.9
19.9
17.4
0.008
0.008
26.2
25.0
N/A
N/A
6.5
8.6
2001
121
126
0.80
0.66
29.5
30.0
22.3
17.8
0.020
0.020
27.3
22.8
N/A
N/A
7.8
10.0
2000
115
115
0.92
0.68
29.8
29.4
20.3
16.0
0.022
0.022
22.2
22.2
N/A
N/A
7.4
10.2
Natural disasters
Type
Brooklyn
Bronx
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
56.4%
58.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
30.8%
31%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
17%
14%
Transportation
Both boroughs are well-served by public transportation but Brooklyn has a slight edge as it is better connected to Manhattan by various subway lines. In the Bronx, more residents rely on buses which can be slower due to traffic congestion. Both offer accessibility to airports and major highways.
Transport
Type
Brooklyn
Bronx
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
149
39
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
2
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Brooklyn
Bronx
Bicycle
0.5%
0.2%
Bus
10.4%
15.6%
Carpooled
8%
9.3%
Car alone
22.4%
27%
Railroad
1.4%
2%
Streetcar
0.2%
0.2%
Subway
44.8%
34.6%
Taxicab
0.7%
1.3%
Walked
8.8%
7.2%
Average travel time to work
Type
Brooklyn
Bronx
Average
44.5 min
44.2 min
Real Estate
Real estate is a tale of two vastly different markets in Brooklyn and the Bronx. Brooklyn's real estate market is booming, with high demand and prices to match. Brooklyn's brownstone neighborhoods are particularly sought after, and it also offers a more significant number of luxury apartments compared to the Bronx. In contrast, the Bronx offers more affordable housing options, although new developments continue to reshape its housing market.
Neighborhoods
Both Brooklyn and the Bronx are home to diverse neighborhoods each boasting its unique flavor. In Brooklyn, trendy neighborhoods like DUMBO, Williamsburg, and Brooklyn Heights offer an appealing blend of luxury living, arts, and culture. The Bronx, meanwhile, hosts historic, cultural neighborhoods like Riverdale, Fordham, and Arthur Avenue - also known as the real Little Italy of New York.
Houses and residents
Type
Brooklyn
Bronx
Houses
930,866
490,659
Average household size (people)
2.7
2.8
Houses occupied
880,727 (94.6%)
463,212 (94.4%)
Houses occupied by owners
238,290 (27.1%)
90,522 (19.5%)
Houses occupied by renters
642,437 (72.9%)
372,690 (80.5%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,589
$1,273
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,621,117
$708,992
Estimated median house or condo value
$793,300
$465,000
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.6
3.7
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.2
5.1
Renting percentage
72.3%
80.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
13,184
11,675
Household income disparities
48.5%
50.2%
Housing units without a mortgage
29,251 (32.9%)
12,021 (34%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
183 (0.2%)
105 (0.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
59,793 (67.1%)
23,339 (66%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
4,512 (5.1%)
2,053 (5.8%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,098 (5.7%)
2,159 (6.1%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
1.4%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.7%
1.7%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Brooklyn
Bronx
One, detached
5.0%
5.8%
One, attached
8.7%
5.4%
Two
18.1%
8.4%
3 or 4
17.1%
7.4%
5 to 9
11.1%
3.9%
10 to 19
6.0%
6.3%
20 to 49
13.6%
25.4%
50 or more
20.3%
37.2%
Mobile homes
0.1%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
45,971
16,572
State government workers
27,527
14,515
Unpaid family workers
2,234
1,000
Industries and Occupations
Brooklyn is renowned for its technology, design, and media production industries, which attract a significant number of young professionals.
Elsewhere, the Bronx has a strong healthcare sector, hosting large medical institutions such as the Montefiore Medical Center and the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital. The retail and food services industries are also significant contributors to the economy in the Bronx.
Both boroughs offer good healthcare services with a number of hospitals and clinics. Brooklyn's largest hospital is the Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, while the Bronx is home to Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, the largest voluntary, not-for-profit health care system in the south and central Bronx.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Brooklyn
Bronx
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Both Brooklyn and the Bronx have well-maintained infrastructures including extensive public transit systems, schools, hospitals, parks, and cultural institutions. Brooklyn, however, is more developed in terms of modern offices, high-rise residential buildings, and amenities like high-speed internet access, making it more appealing to younger professionals.
Infrastructure
Type
Brooklyn
Bronx
Hospitals
104
57
TV stations
29
30
Bank branches located here
271
118
Bank institutions located here
41
24
Main business address for public companies
9
2
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
12
1
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
75
4
Schools
School facilities
Type
Brooklyn
Bronx
Private elementary/middle schools
151
54
Private high schools
128
20
Public elementary/middle schools
405
285
Public high schools
176
155
Colleges/Universities
48
9
Culture and Food
When it comes to culture and food, both boroughs have their unique charm. Brooklyn is known for its hipster culture and boasts an impressive selection of restaurants, bars, boutiques, and art galleries. The Bronx, meanwhile, has a strong Latin culture with superb Latin and Italian food, and is also home to the renowned Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden.
Sports Teams
Brooklyn is home to the Brooklyn Nets basketball team, whereas the Bronx is where the iconic New York Yankees baseball team resides. Both boroughs have their loyal sports fans and plenty of sports bars where locals and visitors alike can catch a game.
Brooklyn, NY
Bronx, NY
Brooklyn, NY and 
Bronx, NY : 14.2 miles
