Manhattan and the Bronx are two of the five boroughs of New York City, each with its unique qualities and offerings. While Manhattan is known for its hustle and bustle, upscale living, and iconic attractions, the Bronx offers a more laid-back, community-centered style of living. The following text offers a comprehensive comparison of living or visiting these two dynamic NYC boroughs.
Manhattan is perceived as safer than the Bronx. Manhattan has a lower crime rate compared to the Bronx both in terms of property and violent crimes. However, certain areas in the Bronx like affluent Riverdale are safer than some parts in Manhattan. Both boroughs vary by neighborhoods, so it is advisable to check the exact safety rates of specific areas when relocating or visiting.
Cost of Living
Manhattan is one of the most expensive places to live in the United States. It has high housing costs, food prices, transportation costs, health care, and entertainment fees. On the other hand, the cost of living in the Bronx is significantly cheaper, offering more affordability in housing and general living expenses.
Income Tax
Both boroughs adhere to New York State's progressive income tax system, which ranges from 4% to 8.82%. In addition, New York City imposes its own city income tax, which ranges from 3.078% to 3.876%.
Property Tax
Property taxes vary by borough and property type. Generally, Manhattan has higher property taxes due to the higher property values. However, Bronx homeowners typically pay less as property values are lower.
Sales Tax
The sales tax is identical in both boroughs, standing at 8.875%. This includes a 4% state tax, and 4.875% city tax.
Income
Type
Manhattan
Bronx
Estimated median household income
$84,435
$43,011
Estimated per capita income
$76,589
$23,354
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
185.3
172.8
If you make $50,000 in Bronx, you will have to make $53,617 in Manhattan to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Manhattan is primarily made up of high-rise buildings with the iconic Central Park providing green space. The Bronx, on the other hand, is more suburban-like with significant open spaces, including the largest park in NYC, Pelham Bay Park.
Geographical information
Type
Manhattan
Bronx
Land area
23 sq. miles
42 sq. miles
Population density
70,629 people per sq. mile
32,928 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Manhattan, NY Bronx, NY
Education
Both boroughs have a diverse array of schools. Manhattan hosts some of the country’s top-rated public and private schools and prestigious universities like Columbia and NYU. The Bronx also has quality public, charter, and private schools. It also houses noteworthy institutions like Fordham University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Manhattan is the economic powerhouse of New York City. It's home to Wall Street, making it the country's financial center. Meanwhile, the Bronx's economy has been traditionally based on a mix of manufacturing and service industries, although there has been a recent increase in retail and real estate.
Biggest Employers
Manhattan's biggest employers include J.P. Morgan Chase, Citigroup, and Verizon. In the Bronx, the top employers are the NYC Department of Education, the City of New York, and Montefiore Medical Center.
In Manhattan (New York County), 83.9% voted for Democrats and 14.9% 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
Manhattan
Bronx
Manhattan
Bronx
Manhattan
Bronx
2020
86.5%
83.7%
12.2%
16.0%
1.2%
0.3%
2016
86.7%
88.6%
9.7%
9.5%
3.6%
2.0%
2012
83.9%
91.9%
14.9%
8.1%
1.2%
0.0%
2008
86.1%
89.0%
13.5%
11.0%
0.3%
0.0%
2004
82.3%
82.9%
16.8%
16.5%
0.9%
0.6%
2000
80.0%
86.5%
14.5%
11.8%
5.5%
1.7%
1996
80.0%
85.8%
13.8%
10.5%
6.3%
3.7%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Manhattan
Bronx
Manhattan
Bronx
CATHOLIC CHURCH
20.4%
25.5%
12.6%
11.5%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.7%
2.8%
2.4%
3.9%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.7%
0.4%
5.3%
3.7%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.6%
0.7%
4.7%
4.4%
REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.0%
1.2%
0.8%
PATRIAR PARISHE RUSSIAN ORTHODO CHURCH USA
0.4%
0.0%
0.2%
0.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.7%
2.4%
6.5%
Weather
The weather is the same in both Manhattan and the Bronx due to their close proximity. They have a temperate climate with hot summers and cold winters. Both boroughs are also susceptible to occasional storms such as Nor'easters, winter snowstorms, and sometimes hurricanes.
Weather and climate
Type
Manhattan
Bronx
Temperature - Average
54.6°F
54.7°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
67.4%
67.2%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
30%
26.4%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
77%
75.6%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
47%
49.2%
Precipitation - Yearly average
49.6 in
47 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
57.4 in
54.5 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
17.8%
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
6.7 mph
10.7 mph
Average climate in Manhattan, New York
Average climate in Bronx, New York
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Manhattan
Bronx
Manhattan
Bronx
Manhattan
Bronx
Manhattan
Bronx
Manhattan
Bronx
Manhattan
Bronx
Manhattan
Bronx
Manhattan
Bronx
2018
94
102
0.29
0.31
17.3
15.8
23.9
24.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.9
7.4
0.5
0.6
2017
97
100
0.16
0.04
17.4
15.7
24.0
24.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.7
7.0
0.4
0.6
2016
94
98
0.28
0.30
18.1
16.4
24.2
24.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.7
7.2
0.6
0.8
2015
100
105
0.36
0.28
18.9
18.0
23.0
23.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.6
8.6
1.0
1.4
2014
95
99
0.40
0.32
19.1
18.0
22.3
23.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.3
8.4
1.1
1.7
2013
97
103
0.43
0.39
19.5
18.9
22.6
23.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.0
9.3
1.1
2.1
2012
99
104
0.46
0.44
18.6
18.8
23.4
23.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.3
9.7
1.7
3.1
2011
108
113
0.46
0.46
20.7
20.9
22.2
22.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.9
11.6
2.7
4.5
2010
113
113
0.45
0.53
19.3
20.2
23.3
23.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.4
10.8
2.7
4.7
2009
104
107
0.51
0.53
21.9
22.3
18.8
19.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.7
10.8
3.8
5.4
2008
110
114
0.49
0.53
23.0
23.3
19.8
19.9
0.013
0.013
N/A
N/A
12.3
12.1
4.6
5.9
2007
121
122
0.56
0.60
24.4
24.6
19.4
19.1
0.016
0.016
N/A
N/A
13.1
13.2
5.5
7.0
2006
116
120
0.64
0.50
24.6
25.0
18.9
18.9
0.018
0.018
N/A
N/A
12.9
12.8
6.5
7.0
2005
112
115
0.77
0.60
26.7
27.0
18.4
17.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.2
9.3
2004
108
109
0.77
0.62
26.7
25.6
17.3
16.7
0.030
0.030
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.0
8.8
2003
107
110
0.83
0.75
27.8
27.4
17.5
17.1
0.024
0.022
26.9
26.9
N/A
N/A
8.2
8.9
2002
122
124
0.78
0.67
27.9
27.9
18.7
17.4
0.008
0.008
25.9
25.0
N/A
N/A
7.3
8.6
2001
123
126
0.79
0.66
29.4
30.0
19.4
17.8
0.020
0.020
25.0
22.8
N/A
N/A
8.7
10.0
2000
115
115
0.90
0.68
30.2
29.4
15.0
16.0
0.022
0.022
22.2
22.2
N/A
N/A
8.4
10.2
Natural disasters
Type
Manhattan
Bronx
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
59.1%
58.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
31.1%
31%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
18%
14%
Transportation
Both boroughs benefit from an extensive public transit system. Manhattan is denser and more walkable, with ample subways and buses. The Bronx also has an excellent subway system, buses, and the Metro-North Railroad. Despite this, commuting times in the Bronx tend to be longer due to more residents working outside of the borough.
Transport
Type
Manhattan
Bronx
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
2
39
Means of transportation to work
Type
Manhattan
Bronx
Bicycle
0.9%
0.2%
Bus
10.1%
15.6%
Carpooled
3.4%
9.3%
Car alone
7.6%
27%
Railroad
1.1%
2%
Streetcar
0.1%
0.2%
Subway
43.6%
34.6%
Taxicab
4.7%
1.3%
Walked
21.9%
7.2%
Average travel time to work
Type
Manhattan
Bronx
Average
30.3 min
44.2 min
Real Estate
Real estate prices in Manhattan are notably higher, catering to affluent residents and luxury markets. The Bronx offers more affordable housing options and is undergoing significant redevelopment, with growth in both rental and ownership options.
Neighborhoods
Manhattan neighborhoods such as the Upper East Side, Wall Street, and Broadway are internationally known. In contrast, the Bronx has residential enclaves like Riverdale, Fordham, and Belmont, each offering a different cultural experience and community vibe.
Houses and residents
Type
Manhattan
Bronx
Houses
798,144
490,659
Average household size (people)
2
2.8
Houses occupied
738,644 (92.5%)
463,212 (94.4%)
Houses occupied by owners
148,695 (20.1%)
90,522 (19.5%)
Houses occupied by renters
589,949 (79.9%)
372,690 (80.5%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,690
$1,273
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$3,393,315
$708,992
Estimated median house or condo value
$940,900
$465,000
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.2
3.7
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
4
5.1
Renting percentage
77.2%
80.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
34,757
11,675
Household income disparities
47.8%
50.2%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,104 (40.3%)
12,021 (34%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
13 (0.5%)
105 (0.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
1,636 (59.7%)
23,339 (66%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
140 (5.1%)
2,053 (5.8%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
140 (5.1%)
2,159 (6.1%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2%
1.4%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.7%
1.7%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Manhattan
Bronx
One, detached
0.3%
5.8%
One, attached
0.5%
5.4%
Two
0.6%
8.4%
3 or 4
2.1%
7.4%
5 to 9
6.3%
3.9%
10 to 19
12.6%
6.3%
20 to 49
24.5%
25.4%
50 or more
53.0%
37.2%
Mobile homes
0.0%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
69,517
16,572
State government workers
15,544
14,515
Unpaid family workers
1,861
1,000
Industries and Occupations
Employment in Manhattan is centered around finance, insurance, real estate, and professional services. In contrast, the Bronx has a more diverse job market with a higher proportion of jobs in health care, education, and food services.
Manhattan offers world-class healthcare facilities such as NY-Presbyterian Hospital and Mount Sinai. The Bronx is host to the comprehensive Montefiore Medical Center. Both provide excellent care although access to facilities is denser in Manhattan.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Manhattan
Bronx
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Manhattan boasts grand infrastructure, from skyscrapers to historic buildings. It has fantastic amenities catered towards high-end consumers and tourists. The Bronx is known for its mix of pre-war and modern buildings. It also has numerous parks, including the famous Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden.
Infrastructure
Type
Manhattan
Bronx
TV stations
30
30
Culture and Food
Manhattan is famous for Broadway shows, museums, and numerous high-end restaurants. In contrast, the Bronx is known for its vibrant mix of Latin American, Caribbean, Italian, and Irish cultures, amongst others. It offers a more diverse and accessible range of food options.
Sports Teams
Manhattan is home to Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks (NBA) and Rangers (NHL) play. The Bronx is home to the renowned Yankees MLB team and NYC Football club at Yankee Stadium.
Manhattan, NY
Bronx, NY
Manhattan, NY and 
Bronx, NY : 7.5 miles
