While both are boroughs of New York City, the Bronx and Staten Island offer different vibes and experiences. The Bronx, known for its rich history, diverse culture, and urban living, contrasts with Staten Island's suburban feel, open spaces, and slower lifestyle. Both boroughs showcase unique characteristics, from crime rates and cost of living to education and employment opportunities.
The Bronx has seen a significant decrease in crime over the years, however, its crime rate is still higher than Staten Island. For those considering moving or visiting, it's important to note that the Bronx's crime rate varies by neighborhood. Meanwhile, Staten Island is generally considered safer, with lower crime rates overall, contributing to its reputation as a family-friendly borough.
Cost of Living
Staten Island offers a lower cost of living than the Bronx. Housing in the Bronx, particularly in popular areas, can be significantly more expensive. Conversely, Staten Island is more affordable, making it an attractive option for families.
Income Tax
The local income tax for both regions is the same, as they are part of NYC. The rates vary from 3.078% to 3.876% depending on income levels.
Property Tax
Property taxes are generally lower in Staten Island compared to the Bronx. This, coupled with lower house prices, makes homeownership more feasible for many people in Staten Island.
Sales Tax
Both boroughs fall under NYC's tax jurisdiction and have the same sales tax rate of 8.875%, including the state sales tax of 4%, the city sales tax of 4.5%, and the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District surcharge of 0.375%.
Income
Type
Bronx
Staten Island
Estimated median household income
$43,011
$86,054
Estimated per capita income
$23,354
$38,678
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
172.8
164.1
If you make $50,000 in Staten Island, you will have to make $52,651 in Bronx to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
The Bronx, located north of Manhattan, is characterized by its dense urban environment. Staten Island is the least populous borough and is more suburban, with green parks and beaches.
Geographical information
Type
Bronx
Staten Island
Land area
42 sq. miles
58.5 sq. miles
Population density
32,928 people per sq. mile
8,225.7 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Bronx, NY Staten Island, NY
Education
Both boroughs have a wide range of public and private schools, and institutions of higher learning. The Bronx houses Fordham University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, among others. Staten Island is home to the College of Staten Island and the private Wagner College. Staten Island has a higher high school graduation rate compared to the Bronx.
Staten Island's economy is largely dominated by retail, health care, and manufacturing. Job growth has been consistent, particularly in the tech sector. The Bronx, on the other hand, has a diverse economy, with health care, education, retail trade, and social assistance being major employers. The Bronx also offers more job opportunities due to its size and population density.
Biggest Employers
The largest employers in the Bronx are Montefiore Medical Center and the Department of Education. In Staten Island, Richmond University Medical Center and Staten Island University Hospital are among the largest employers, along with the Department of Education.
In Bronx (Bronx County), 91.9% voted for Democrats and 8.1% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Staten Island (Richmond County), 50.8% voted for Democrats and 48.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Bronx
Staten Island
Bronx
Staten Island
Bronx
Staten Island
2020
83.7%
42.2%
16.0%
57.1%
0.3%
0.7%
2016
88.6%
41.0%
9.5%
56.1%
2.0%
2.9%
2012
91.9%
50.8%
8.1%
48.3%
0.0%
0.9%
2008
89.0%
47.8%
11.0%
51.9%
0.0%
0.4%
2004
82.9%
42.8%
16.5%
56.5%
0.6%
0.7%
2000
86.5%
52.1%
11.8%
45.1%
1.7%
2.9%
1996
85.8%
50.5%
10.5%
40.8%
3.7%
8.7%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Bronx
Staten Island
Bronx
Staten Island
CATHOLIC CHURCH
25.5%
54.2%
11.5%
20.6%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.8%
1.7%
3.9%
3.0%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.7%
0.6%
4.4%
1.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.7%
0.1%
6.5%
2.5%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.4%
3.7%
5.0%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.2%
0.6%
2.6%
4.0%
Weather
Both the Bronx and Staten Island experience a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. However, Staten Island might seem slightly milder due to its coastal location. Summertime can be hot and humid in both boroughs, with winters chilly and often featuring snow.
Weather and climate
Type
Bronx
Staten Island
Temperature - Average
54.7°F
54.1°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
67.2%
67.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
26.4%
29.9%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
75.6%
77%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
49.2%
47.2%
Precipitation - Yearly average
47 in
47.4 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
54.5 in
60 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
16.5%
15.8%
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
10.7 mph
10.5 mph
Average climate in Bronx, New York
Average climate in Staten Island, New York
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Bronx
Staten Island
Bronx
Staten Island
Bronx
Staten Island
Bronx
Staten Island
Bronx
Staten Island
Bronx
Staten Island
Bronx
Staten Island
Bronx
Staten Island
2018
102
94
0.31
0.35
15.8
17.1
24.4
24.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.4
7.9
0.6
0.4
2017
100
98
0.04
0.32
15.7
17.0
24.6
27.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.0
7.6
0.6
0.2
2016
98
94
0.30
0.37
16.4
17.9
24.6
28.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.2
7.7
0.8
0.2
2015
105
102
0.28
0.39
18.0
18.9
23.6
27.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.6
8.6
1.4
0.4
2014
99
97
0.32
0.38
18.0
19.2
23.6
25.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.4
8.3
1.7
0.7
2013
103
99
0.39
0.39
18.9
19.6
23.5
27.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.3
8.5
2.1
0.8
2012
104
102
0.44
0.42
18.8
19.3
23.9
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.7
9.2
3.1
1.4
2011
113
108
0.46
0.42
20.9
21.4
22.1
28.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.6
10.2
4.5
2.0
2010
113
114
0.53
0.40
20.2
19.9
23.7
28.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.8
9.4
4.7
1.8
2009
107
105
0.53
0.39
22.3
22.5
19.5
25.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.8
9.5
5.4
2.4
2008
114
111
0.53
0.39
23.3
23.0
19.9
24.3
0.013
0.013
N/A
N/A
12.1
11.3
5.9
3.4
2007
122
123
0.60
0.44
24.6
24.2
19.1
23.3
0.016
0.016
N/A
N/A
13.2
12.0
7.0
4.3
2006
120
117
0.50
0.55
25.0
25.6
18.9
24.7
0.018
0.018
N/A
N/A
12.8
13.1
7.0
5.3
2005
115
112
0.60
0.69
27.0
27.3
17.8
23.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.3
7.3
2004
109
109
0.62
0.68
25.6
26.4
16.7
22.2
0.030
0.030
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.8
6.9
2003
110
112
0.75
0.76
27.4
28.0
17.1
22.1
0.022
0.006
26.9
26.9
N/A
N/A
8.9
7.1
2002
124
125
0.67
0.74
27.9
30.6
17.4
24.7
0.008
0.008
25.0
26.1
N/A
N/A
8.6
6.6
2001
126
124
0.66
0.81
30.0
32.4
17.8
24.9
0.020
0.020
22.8
26.9
N/A
N/A
10.0
7.2
2000
115
116
0.68
0.93
29.4
33.0
16.0
23.1
0.022
0.022
22.2
22.2
N/A
N/A
10.2
7.2
Natural disasters
Type
Bronx
Staten Island
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
58.3%
61.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
31%
31.2%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
14%
19%
Transportation
The Bronx has excellent public transit with multiple subway lines and buses, making commuting easier. Staten Island has a more limited public transit system, relying heavily on buses and the ferry service for commuters.
Transport
Type
Bronx
Staten Island
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
39
39
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
2
Means of transportation to work
Type
Bronx
Staten Island
Bicycle
0.2%
0.2%
Bus
15.6%
19.2%
Carpooled
9.3%
12.1%
Car alone
27%
54.3%
Ferryboat
0%
5.3%
Railroad
2%
0.9%
Streetcar
0.2%
0%
Subway
34.6%
2.6%
Taxicab
1.3%
0.4%
Walked
7.2%
2.9%
Average travel time to work
Type
Bronx
Staten Island
Average
44.2 min
45.3 min
Real Estate
While both boroughs offer a range of housing options, the real estate market in the Bronx is generally more competitive with higher prices, given its proximity to Manhattan. Staten Island offers more affordable housing options, with single-family homes being predominant.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods in the Bronx are highly diverse, from the picturesque Riverdale to the historic South Bronx. Staten Island's neighborhoods, such as St. George and New Dorp, offer a suburban feel with more parks and open spaces.
Houses and residents
Type
Bronx
Staten Island
Houses
490,659
163,993
Average household size (people)
2.8
2.8
Houses occupied
463,212 (94.4%)
156,341 (95.3%)
Houses occupied by owners
90,522 (19.5%)
99,732 (63.8%)
Houses occupied by renters
372,690 (80.5%)
56,609 (36.2%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,273
$1,320
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$708,992
$369,853
Estimated median house or condo value
$465,000
$605,500
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.1
6.1
Renting percentage
80.7%
35.9%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
11,675
2,804.3
Household income disparities
50.2%
43.8%
Housing units without a mortgage
12,021 (34%)
19,289 (25%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
105 (0.3%)
160 (0.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
23,339 (66%)
57,986 (75%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
2,053 (5.8%)
5,623 (7.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
2,159 (6.1%)
4,499 (5.8%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.4%
0.6%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.7%
0.5%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Bronx
Staten Island
One, detached
5.8%
33.8%
One, attached
5.4%
24.2%
Two
8.4%
23.0%
3 or 4
7.4%
5.0%
5 to 9
3.9%
2.4%
10 to 19
6.3%
1.6%
20 to 49
25.4%
2.9%
50 or more
37.2%
6.9%
Mobile homes
0.1%
0.2%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
16,572
7,611
State government workers
14,515
6,285
Unpaid family workers
1,000
394
Industries and Occupations
In the Bronx, the health care and social assistance sectors dominate, followed by retail trade and educational services. In Staten Island, healthcare and retail trade provide significant employment, with a notable presence of construction and manufacturing jobs due to its more suburban character.
Both boroughs are well-served by hospitals and healthcare providers. The Bronx's Montefiore Medical Center is nationally recognized, and Staten Island has two major hospitals, Richmond University Medical Center and Staten Island University Hospital.
The Bronx boasts a vast network of subways, buses, and roads that facilitate easy access to Manhattan and other parts of NYC. Staten Island's infrastructure is more suburban, with less public transit and more reliance on cars. The Staten Island Ferry provides beautiful views and easy access to Manhattan.
Infrastructure
Type
Bronx
Staten Island
Hospitals
57
25
TV stations
30
30
Bank branches located here
118
104
Bank institutions located here
24
19
Main business address for public companies
2
1
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
1
1
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
4
3
Schools
School facilities
Type
Bronx
Staten Island
Private elementary/middle schools
54
22
Private high schools
20
13
Public elementary/middle schools
285
63
Public high schools
155
16
Colleges/Universities
9
5
Culture and Food
The Bronx offers a rich cultural diversity, reflected in its food, music, and festivals. Home to the “real Little Italy,” it offers an array of dining options. Staten Island is known for its Italian American population, offering some of the best Italian food in NYC.
Sports Teams
The Bronx is home to the iconic New York Yankees, while Staten Island hosts the Staten Island Yankees, a minor league team. The borough also has the Staten Island Cricket Club, the oldest continuously operating cricket club in the U.S.
Bronx, NY
Staten Island, NY
Bronx, NY and 
Staten Island, NY : 23.0 miles
