Manhattan, NY, and Honolulu, HI, are two distinct hubs of cultural, financial, and social diversity, appealing to different people for different reasons. While Manhattan is characterized by its bustling city life, explosive economy, and diverse culture, Honolulu offers a more relaxed pace, tropical climate, and an adorned emphasis on hospitality and recreation. The following is a detailed comparison of the two cities in several categories of interest.
Both Manhattan and Honolulu have crime rates, but the nature of these varies. Manhattan, due to its denser population, has a higher crime rate than the national average, with property crimes being the most common. However, serious crimes like murder and robbery are still well below the national average. Efforts to increase safety through neighborhood policing have proven successful. On the other hand, Honolulu has a crime rate slightly above the national average, primarily due to property crimes. The city is generally considered safe for tourists.
Cost of Living
Manhattan's cost of living is one of the highest in the country, significantly above the national average in almost every category—from housing to groceries. In contrast, Honolulu's cost of living is also above the national average, mainly due to high housing costs, but is still much less than Manhattan.
Income Tax
New York State has a progressive income tax system that ranges from 4% to 8.82%, plus an additional tax for residents of Manhattan. Hawaii also has a progressive tax system, ranging from 1.4% to 11%.
Property Tax
New York City has a progressive property tax system, with Manhattan homeowners typically paying a lower effective rate due to higher property values. In Honolulu, the property tax rate is significantly lower due to the high real estate values.
Sales Tax
The combined city and state sales tax rate in Manhattan is 8.875%. Honolulu, on the other hand, has a General Excise Tax instead of a sales tax, which is 4.5%.
Income
Type
Manhattan
Honolulu
Estimated median household income
$84,435
$78,820
Estimated per capita income
$76,589
$43,518
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
185.3
158.6
If you make $50,000 in Honolulu, you will have to make $58,417 in Manhattan to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Manhattan, an island, is characterized by its dense population and towering skyscrapers. Beaches are located in the broader New York City area rather than in Manhattan itself. Honolulu is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and features a scenic combination of beaches, mountains, and volcanoes.
Geographical information
Type
Manhattan
Honolulu
Land area
23 sq. miles
85.7 sq. miles
Population density
70,629 people per sq. mile
4,372.1 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Manhattan, NY Honolulu, HI
Education
Manhattan boasts some of the top universities in the world, such as Columbia University and New York University. Public schools in Manhattan fall under the New York City Department of Education, the largest school district in the U.S. Honolulu has the University of Hawaii and several other smaller institutions, while its public education is managed by the Hawaii Department of Education, the only statewide school district in the country.
Manhattan has one of the strongest economies in the world, majorly powered by finance, real estate, media, and technology. Employment opportunities are vast and salaries are among the highest in the U.S. Honolulu's economy largely depends on tourism, military defense, and research and development. Both cities have low unemployment rates.
Biggest Employers
In Manhattan, major employers include JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, and NBCUniversal. The city also hosts the headquarters of many Fortune 500 companies. In Honolulu, the biggest employers are the U.S. Department of Defense, the State of Hawaii, and the University of Hawaii.
In Manhattan (New York County), 83.9% voted for Democrats and 14.9% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Honolulu (Honolulu County), 68.9% voted for Democrats and 29.8% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Manhattan
Honolulu
Manhattan
Honolulu
Manhattan
Honolulu
2020
86.5%
62.7%
12.2%
35.8%
1.2%
1.5%
2016
86.7%
61.5%
9.7%
31.6%
3.6%
6.9%
2012
83.9%
68.9%
14.9%
29.8%
1.2%
1.3%
2008
86.1%
70.1%
13.5%
28.8%
0.3%
1.1%
2004
82.3%
51.1%
16.8%
48.3%
0.9%
0.6%
2000
80.0%
54.6%
14.5%
39.6%
5.5%
5.7%
1996
80.0%
56.3%
13.8%
33.6%
6.3%
10.1%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Manhattan
Honolulu
Manhattan
Honolulu
CATHOLIC CHURCH
20.4%
18.2%
12.6%
5.2%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.7%
0.0%
2.4%
0.1%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.7%
0.5%
5.3%
2.7%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.6%
0.1%
4.7%
0.4%
REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.0%
1.2%
0.0%
PATRIAR PARISHE RUSSIAN ORTHODO CHURCH USA
0.4%
0.0%
0.2%
0.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.5%
2.4%
2.6%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.2%
1.5%
2.9%
9.7%
Weather
Manhattan experiences a typical four-season climate, with cold winters and hot, humid summers. Spring and fall provide moderate temperatures. Conversely, Honolulu has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. The weather is generally sunny, although it does have a rainy season from November to March.
Weather and climate
Type
Manhattan
Honolulu
Temperature - Average
54.6°F
73.9°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
67.4%
70.5%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
30%
27%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
77%
79%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
47%
52%
Precipitation - Yearly average
49.6 in
66.2 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
57.4 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
17.8%
14.9%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.2%
71%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
19%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
75%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
44%
56%
Wind speed - Average
6.7 mph
11.1 mph
Average climate in Manhattan, New York
Average climate in Honolulu, Hawaii
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Manhattan
Honolulu
Manhattan
Honolulu
Manhattan
Honolulu
Manhattan
Honolulu
Manhattan
Honolulu
Manhattan
Honolulu
Manhattan
Honolulu
Manhattan
Honolulu
2018
94
43
0.29
0.45
17.3
3.9
23.9
25.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.7
7.9
3.8
0.5
0.1
2017
97
46
0.16
0.50
17.4
4.4
24.0
24.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.7
7.7
3.4
0.4
0.4
2016
94
46
0.28
0.59
18.1
3.9
24.2
24.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.5
7.7
3.5
0.6
0.3
2015
100
53
0.36
0.54
18.9
3.5
23.0
24.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.4
8.6
4.8
1.0
0.4
2014
95
45
0.40
0.41
19.1
3.4
22.3
21.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.1
8.3
4.6
1.1
1.2
2013
97
53
0.43
0.41
19.5
3.0
22.6
26.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.8
9.0
5.8
1.1
1.1
2012
99
58
0.46
0.31
18.6
2.9
23.4
24.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.2
9.3
5.7
1.7
0.6
2011
108
57
0.46
0.39
20.7
2.9
22.2
28.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.7
10.9
7.0
2.7
0.6
2010
113
68
0.45
0.38
19.3
3.4
23.3
N/A
N/A
0.002
N/A
N/A
10.4
7.0
2.7
1.1
2009
104
58
0.51
0.42
21.9
4.3
18.8
N/A
N/A
0.003
N/A
N/A
10.7
6.2
3.8
0.7
2008
110
19
0.49
0.45
23.0
4.2
19.8
N/A
0.013
0.002
N/A
N/A
12.3
N/A
4.6
0.6
2007
121
23
0.56
0.52
24.4
4.7
19.4
N/A
0.016
0.001
N/A
N/A
13.1
N/A
5.5
0.5
2006
116
21
0.64
0.24
24.6
4.9
18.9
N/A
0.018
0.003
N/A
N/A
12.9
N/A
6.5
1.0
2005
112
19
0.77
0.42
26.7
5.0
18.4
N/A
N/A
0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.2
0.7
2004
108
18
0.77
0.60
26.7
4.8
17.3
N/A
0.030
0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.0
0.5
2003
107
21
0.83
0.62
27.8
4.7
17.5
N/A
0.024
0.002
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.2
0.5
2002
122
19
0.78
0.64
27.9
4.9
18.7
N/A
0.008
N/A
25.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.3
0.9
2001
123
21
0.79
0.62
29.4
4.5
19.4
N/A
0.020
N/A
25.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.7
0.6
2000
115
21
0.90
0.68
30.2
4.9
15.0
N/A
0.022
N/A
22.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.4
0.4
Natural disasters
Type
Manhattan
Honolulu
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
59.1%
3.7%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
31.1%
1,260.2%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
18%
16%
Transportation
Manhattan boasts an extensive public transportation system, with subways, buses, and taxis making it easy to get around without a car. Biking is also popular. Honolulu has a good bus system, but many residents and tourists choose to drive, which can lead to traffic congestion.
Transport
Type
Manhattan
Honolulu
Amtrak stations nearby
3
0
FAA registered aircraft
2
343
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
7
Means of transportation to work
Type
Manhattan
Honolulu
Bicycle
0.9%
1.2%
Bus
10.1%
11.3%
Carpooled
3.4%
18.1%
Car alone
7.6%
57.7%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.9%
Railroad
1.1%
0%
Streetcar
0.1%
0%
Subway
43.6%
0%
Taxicab
4.7%
0.3%
Walked
21.9%
6.6%
Average travel time to work
Type
Manhattan
Honolulu
Average
30.3 min
24 min
Real Estate
Manhattan real estate is among the most expensive in the world, with a vast market of luxury apartments and condos. Honolulu also has a pricey real estate market due to the premium for beachfront properties. Affordable housing can be challenging to find in both cities.
Neighborhoods
Manhattan is famous for its diverse neighborhoods like Chinatown, Harlem, and Times Square each with its own distinct character. Some are primarily residential, while others are commercial hotspots. Honolulu's neighborhoods range from the bustling downtown area to tranquil residential areas like Manoa and Kaimuki.
Houses and residents
Type
Manhattan
Honolulu
Houses
798,144
158,659
Average household size (people)
2
2.6
Houses occupied
738,644 (92.5%)
140,328 (88.4%)
Houses occupied by owners
148,695 (20.1%)
65,860 (46.9%)
Houses occupied by renters
589,949 (79.9%)
74,468 (53.1%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,690
$1,820
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$3,393,315
$674,769
Estimated median house or condo value
$940,900
$903,138
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.2
2.7
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
4
4.4
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
34,757
1,851.3
Household income disparities
47.8%
44.4%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,104 (40.3%)
16,363 (40.7%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
13 (0.5%)
182 (0.5%)
Housing units with a mortgage
1,636 (59.7%)
23,799 (59.3%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
140 (5.1%)
4,350 (10.8%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
140 (5.1%)
2,936 (7.3%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2%
1.9%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.7%
0.8%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Manhattan
Honolulu
One, detached
0.3%
31.9%
One, attached
0.5%
7.3%
Two
0.6%
2.4%
3 or 4
2.1%
4.3%
5 to 9
6.3%
6.1%
10 to 19
12.6%
6.8%
20 to 49
24.5%
9.4%
50 or more
53.0%
31.6%
Mobile homes
0.0%
0.1%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
69,517
12,632
State government workers
15,544
19,181
Unpaid family workers
1,861
657
Industries and Occupations
In Manhattan, finance, real estate, and entertainment industries dominate. It's home to Wall Street, Times Square, and Broadway. There’s an abundance of opportunities in creative fields, banking, legal services, and real estate. Honolulu's industries are more focused on tourism, defense, and health research.
Manhattan offers world-class healthcare with renowned hospitals like New York-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, and NYU Langone. Honolulu's health systems rank high for patient satisfaction, and the Queens Medical Center is highly respected.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Manhattan
Honolulu
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Manhattan is known for its impressive skyscrapers, including the iconic Empire State Building. The infrastructure caters to heavy pedestrian traffic and public transit. Honolulu's infrastructure is designed to support tourism, with beautiful beach resorts, hotels, and plenty of recreation facilities. However, road congestion can be an issue during peak seasons.
Infrastructure
Type
Manhattan
Honolulu
TV stations
30
13
Culture and Food
Manhattan is famed for its diverse cultural institutions like Broadway, the Metropolitan Museum, and several Michelin-starred restaurants. The cuisine is as diverse as its inhabitants. Honolulu offers a unique Polynesian culture, with the traditional Hawaiian Luau and regional cuisine like poke and loco moco.
Sports Teams
Manhattan is home to several major sports teams, including the New York Knicks (NBA) and the New York Rangers (NHL). Honolulu doesn’t have any professional sports teams, but residents are enthusiastic about the University of Hawaii’s sports teams.
Manhattan, NY
Honolulu, HI
Manhattan, NY and 
Honolulu, HI : 4,958.5 miles
