Manhattan, New York, is known for its vibrant urban lifestyle, diverse culture, and robust economy. In contrast, South Aurora, Colorado, offers a relaxed suburban lifestyle, picturesque landscapes, and robust health care services. From crime rates to health care, taxes to education, each offers unique advantages and drawbacks. This comparison aims to provide a comprehensive overview for those considering a move or vacation to these areas.
Manhattan has a higher crime rate than South Aurora. It is known for high property crime rates, but violent crime is lower than the national average. However, many neighborhoods are safe with active community watch programs. On the other hand, South Aurora has a low crime rate. It is safer than 35% of US cities and has excellent safety programs and tight-knit community bonds that help keep crime low.
Cost of Living
Living in Manhattan is significantly costlier than in South Aurora, mainly due to higher housing costs. The cost of groceries, transportation, and health care are also typically higher. South Aurora still exhibits a higher-than-average cost of living for the US, but is much more affordable than Manhattan, offering lower housing and commodity costs.
Income Tax
New York has a progressive income tax system with rates ranging from 4% to 8.82%. Colorado, on the other hand, levies a flat income tax rate of 4.63%.
Property Tax
Property tax rates in Manhattan are relatively low for the state of New York, but can still be quite high due to property values. South Aurora has moderate property tax rates for Colorado.
Sales Tax
New York City has a comparatively higher sales tax rate of 8.875%, while South Aurora’s combined sales tax rate is 8%.
Income
Type
Manhattan
South Aurora
Estimated median household income
$84,435
$80,212
Estimated per capita income
$76,589
$39,129
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
185.3
110.1
If you make $50,000 in South Aurora, you will have to make $84,151 in Manhattan to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Manhattan is a densely populated island surrounded by the Hudson, East, and Harlem Rivers. South Aurora sits at high elevation on the plains at the edge of the Rocky Mountains.
Geographical information
Type
Manhattan
South Aurora
Land area
23 sq. miles
78.4 sq. miles
Population density
70,629 people per sq. mile
4,199.1 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Manhattan, NY South Aurora, CO
Education
Manhattan, as part of New York City, hosts several esteemed educational institutions and boasts high graduation rates. It offers a range of schools from nursery to high school, along with renowned universities. South Aurora, part of the Cherry Creek School District, is known for excellent educational standards and ranks highly in Colorado. The district features top-quality schools and higher-than-average graduation rates.
Manhattan has a robust economy driven by finance, publishing, and technology. The average income is higher than the national average, but so is the cost of living. South Aurora has a diverse economy propelled by education, health care, and information technology sectors. The average income is also higher than the national average, with a lower cost of living.
Biggest Employers
Manhattan's major employers include JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and Verizon. Health care institutions like the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital also employ thousands of people. South Aurora's top employers include the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, the Cherry Creek School District, and Buckley Air Force Base.
In Manhattan (New York County), 83.9% voted for Democrats and 14.9% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In South Aurora (Arapahoe County), 54.4% voted for Democrats and 44.4% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Manhattan
South Aurora
Manhattan
South Aurora
Manhattan
South Aurora
2020
86.5%
61.3%
12.2%
36.6%
1.2%
2.1%
2016
86.7%
53.1%
9.7%
38.9%
3.6%
8.1%
2012
83.9%
54.4%
14.9%
44.4%
1.2%
1.3%
2008
86.1%
56.0%
13.5%
43.0%
0.3%
1.0%
2004
82.3%
47.6%
16.8%
51.6%
0.9%
0.8%
2000
80.0%
43.6%
14.5%
51.6%
5.5%
4.8%
1996
80.0%
41.9%
13.8%
50.8%
6.3%
7.3%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Manhattan
South Aurora
Manhattan
South Aurora
CATHOLIC CHURCH
20.4%
12.1%
12.6%
4.3%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.7%
1.9%
2.4%
1.0%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.7%
0.4%
5.3%
1.7%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.6%
0.1%
4.7%
1.7%
REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.0%
1.2%
0.3%
PATRIAR PARISHE RUSSIAN ORTHODO CHURCH USA
0.4%
0.0%
0.2%
0.0%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
2.0%
2.0%
4.3%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.2%
2.4%
2.6%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.2%
1.6%
2.9%
9.9%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.0%
1.0%
0.6%
2.6%
VINEYARD USA
0.0%
0.5%
0.1%
0.3%
Weather
Manhattan experiences all four seasons with hot summers and cold winters. It can be humid and has an annual rainfall higher than the US average. South Aurora, located at a higher elevation, has a semi-arid climate. There are cooler, drier summers and winters can bring significant snowfall. However, it boasts over 300 days of sunshine annually.
Weather and climate
Type
Manhattan
South Aurora
Temperature - Average
54.6°F
49.9°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
67.4%
50.6%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
30%
20%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
77%
55%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
47%
35%
Precipitation - Yearly average
49.6 in
17.6 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
57.4 in
114 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
17.8%
19.2%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.2%
75.6%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
10%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
44%
64%
Wind speed - Average
6.7 mph
8.6 mph
Average climate in Manhattan, New York
Average climate in South Aurora, Colorado
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Manhattan
South Aurora
Manhattan
South Aurora
Manhattan
South Aurora
Manhattan
South Aurora
Manhattan
South Aurora
Manhattan
South Aurora
Manhattan
South Aurora
Manhattan
South Aurora
2018
94
99
0.29
0.37
17.3
21.6
23.9
31.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
29.2
7.9
8.5
0.5
0.7
2017
97
95
0.16
0.37
17.4
22.0
24.0
31.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.0
7.7
8.4
0.4
0.9
2016
94
90
0.28
0.43
18.1
24.0
24.2
31.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.6
7.7
8.1
0.6
1.0
2015
100
101
0.36
0.44
18.9
23.0
23.0
30.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
20.6
8.6
9.6
1.0
1.1
2014
95
94
0.40
0.43
19.1
22.0
22.3
30.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.7
8.3
10.1
1.1
1.3
2013
97
84
0.43
0.39
19.5
19.7
22.6
30.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.0
9.0
N/A
1.1
1.4
2012
99
90
0.46
0.34
18.6
18.9
23.4
31.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
24.3
9.3
N/A
1.7
1.2
2011
108
91
0.46
0.34
20.7
18.1
22.2
31.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
23.8
10.9
N/A
2.7
1.5
2010
113
81
0.45
0.41
19.3
16.3
23.3
29.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
26.6
10.4
N/A
2.7
1.0
2009
104
79
0.51
0.37
21.9
14.1
18.8
27.3
N/A
0.005
N/A
22.6
10.7
N/A
3.8
1.3
2008
110
85
0.49
0.41
23.0
17.3
19.8
29.1
0.013
0.008
N/A
25.5
12.3
N/A
4.6
1.6
2007
121
96
0.56
0.41
24.4
20.6
19.4
25.7
0.016
0.007
N/A
28.9
13.1
N/A
5.5
1.2
2006
116
89
0.64
0.50
24.6
19.0
18.9
25.4
0.018
0.026
N/A
28.0
12.9
N/A
6.5
1.4
2005
112
86
0.77
0.57
26.7
21.3
18.4
22.7
N/A
0.106
N/A
29.6
N/A
N/A
8.2
1.5
2004
108
82
0.77
0.61
26.7
21.2
17.3
21.6
0.030
0.035
N/A
28.6
N/A
N/A
8.0
1.8
2003
107
106
0.83
0.61
27.8
21.2
17.5
23.4
0.024
0.038
26.9
32.6
N/A
N/A
8.2
1.9
2002
122
86
0.78
0.64
27.9
19.2
18.7
23.0
0.008
0.027
25.9
35.7
N/A
N/A
7.3
2.5
2001
123
95
0.79
0.79
29.4
23.8
19.4
20.8
0.020
0.029
25.0
32.6
N/A
N/A
8.7
2.6
2000
115
93
0.90
0.77
30.2
13.7
15.0
21.7
0.022
0.032
22.2
12.2
N/A
N/A
8.4
2.1
Natural disasters
Type
Manhattan
South Aurora
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
59.1%
137.7%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
31.1%
797.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
18%
10%
Transportation
Manhattan has an extensive public transportation system including the subway, buses and taxis. However, traffic can be congested. South Aurora has less congestion, but public transport options are limited. Most residents rely on cars, although there are bus and light rail services.
Transport
Type
Manhattan
South Aurora
Amtrak stations nearby
3
2
FAA registered aircraft
2
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Manhattan
South Aurora
Bicycle
0.9%
0.2%
Bus
10.1%
3.5%
Carpooled
3.4%
12%
Car alone
7.6%
78.6%
Railroad
1.1%
0%
Streetcar
0.1%
0%
Subway
43.6%
0%
Taxicab
4.7%
0.1%
Walked
21.9%
1.3%
Average travel time to work
Type
Manhattan
South Aurora
Average
30.3 min
27.5 min
Real Estate
Manhattan has a competitive real estate market with high house prices and rents. It offers a mix of high-rise apartments and historic homes. South Aurora has a more affordable housing market with a mix of single-family homes and apartments, with more space and greenery around homes.
Neighborhoods
Manhattan is divided into different neighborhoods, each with its unique character, from the artsy Greenwich Village and the posh Upper East Side, to the vibrant Hell's Kitchen. South Aurora offers family-friendly neighborhoods with small-town charm, including Tallyn's Reach and Saddle Rock Golf Club.
Houses and residents
Type
Manhattan
South Aurora
Houses
798,144
119,373
Average household size (people)
2
2.6
Houses occupied
738,644 (92.5%)
115,977 (97.2%)
Houses occupied by owners
148,695 (20.1%)
76,163 (65.7%)
Houses occupied by renters
589,949 (79.9%)
39,814 (34.3%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,690
$1,519
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$3,393,315
$836,561
Estimated median house or condo value
$940,900
$439,151
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.2
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
4
7.2
Renting percentage
77.2%
38.4%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
34,757
1,522.9
Household income disparities
47.8%
40.8%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,104 (40.3%)
6,903 (10.6%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
13 (0.5%)
358 (0.6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
1,636 (59.7%)
57,942 (89.4%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
140 (5.1%)
5,373 (8.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
140 (5.1%)
10,116 (15.6%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2%
0.4%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.7%
0.4%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Manhattan
South Aurora
One, detached
0.3%
52.4%
One, attached
0.5%
11.6%
Two
0.6%
0.6%
3 or 4
2.1%
3.5%
5 to 9
6.3%
6.9%
10 to 19
12.6%
10.6%
20 to 49
24.5%
5.9%
50 or more
53.0%
7.7%
Mobile homes
0.0%
0.7%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
69,517
8,665
State government workers
15,544
4,200
Unpaid family workers
1,861
351
Industries and Occupations
Manhattan's economy features strong finance, media, and technology sectors providing a range of jobs. The healthcare, education, and creative industries are also flourishing. South Aurora has a thriving health care sector, alongside education, information technology, and aerospace industries.
Both cities offer excellent health care facilities. Manhattan is home to world-class hospitals such as Mount Sinai Hospital and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. South Aurora has access to top-rated healthcare facilities in the Denver metropolitan area, including the Anschutz Medical Campus.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Manhattan
South Aurora
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Manhattan hosts a world-class infrastructure including skyscrapers, heavy and light rail, public buses, and significant pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. Conversely, South Aurora's infrastructure is typical of the suburban US, with a dependent on personal vehicles, but a growing focus on public transportation and cycling paths.
Infrastructure
Type
Manhattan
South Aurora
TV stations
30
14
Culture and Food
Manhattan is a cultural melting pot, home to Broadway, numerous museums, and diverse international cuisine. South Aurora offers a quieter cultural scene with local arts, music venues, and a variety of cuisines, influenced especially by Mexican and Korean communities.
Sports Teams
Manhattan is home to many major league sports clubs, including the Yankees (MLB), Giants (NFL), Knicks (NBA), and Rangers (NHL). South Aurora residents have access to Denver's teams including the Broncos (NFL), Nuggets (NBA), Rockies (MLB), and Avalanche (NHL).
Manhattan, NY
South Aurora, CO
Manhattan, NY and 
South Aurora, CO : 1,620.0 miles
