Overview
Manhattan, New York and Washington, D.C. are two illustrious cities each possessing its own unique vibrancy and feel. This comparison will take into account various factors significant to both residents considering relocation, and tourists visiting the cities. The factors include crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, work and economy, infrastructure, industries and occupations, biggest employers, real estate, neighborhoods, transportation, taxes, culture and food, sports teams, geographical conditions, and health care.
Compared to other cities, both Manhattan and Washington D.C. have relatively high crime rates. Though violent crime has fallen significantly over the past few decades in Manhattan, instances of theft and property crime are still common. However, Washington D.C. generally has higher rates of violent crime, particular in certain neighborhoods. Nonetheless, many areas of both cities are very safe. Both cities offer numerous programs and initiatives focusing on enhancing community safety.
Cost of Living
Manhattan has one of the highest costs of living in the country, particularly when it comes to housing. Everything from groceries, to utilities, to transit is more expensive. On the other end, although Washington D.C is also relatively expensive, it is slightly cheaper than Manhattan in terms of overall cost of living.
Income Tax
New York State has a progressive income tax system, with rates from 4% to 8.82% depending on income. Similarly, D.C. also uses a progressive rate system, ranging from 4% to 8.95%.
Property Tax
Both Manhattan and Washington D.C.'s property taxes differ based on property value and location. However, on average, D.C’s rates tend to be lower than those in Manhattan.
Sales Tax
Manhattan's state and city sales tax combined can be as high as 8.875%. In comparison, Washington D.C. has a relatively lower combined rate of 5.75%.
Income
Type
Manhattan
Washington
Estimated median household income
$84,435
$90,088
Estimated per capita income
$76,589
$65,808
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
185.3
124.2
If you make $50,000 in Washington, you will have to make $74,597 in Manhattan to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Manhattan is an island, defined by its skyline full of towering skyscrapers. Washington D.C., on the other hand, is characterized by its low-rise skyline, wide boulevards, and green spaces, including the famous National Mall.
Geographical information
Type
Manhattan
Washington
Land area
23 sq. miles
61.4 sq. miles
Population density
70,629 people per sq. mile
10,912 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Manhattan, NY Washington, DC
Education
Both Manhattan and Washington D.C. boast excellent educational institutions. Manhattan enjoys the presence of some of the world's finest universities, including Columbia University and New York University. Washington D.C. also offers top-tier educational institutions, such as Georgetown University and George Washington University. Public schools in both cities vary in quality, with standout options in some neighborhoods.
Manhattan's economy is largely driven by finance, media, art, fashion and technology while Washington D.C.'s is primarily fueled by the government, education, and tourism. Unemployment rates are generally lower in Manhattan, but Washington D.C. also enjoys a robust job market.
Biggest Employers
Manhattan's biggest employers are predominantly financial institutions and conglomerates including JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, and Verizon. On the other side, Washington D.C.'s biggest employers include the federal government, MedStar Health, and George Washington University.
In Manhattan (New York County), 83.9% voted for Democrats and 14.9% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Washington (District of Columbia), 90.9% voted for Democrats and 7.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Manhattan
Washington
Manhattan
Washington
Manhattan
Washington
2020
86.5%
92.6%
12.2%
5.4%
1.2%
2.0%
2016
86.7%
90.9%
9.7%
4.1%
3.6%
5.0%
2012
83.9%
90.9%
14.9%
7.3%
1.2%
1.8%
2008
86.1%
92.5%
13.5%
6.5%
0.3%
1.0%
2004
82.3%
89.6%
16.8%
9.4%
0.9%
1.0%
2000
80.0%
85.2%
14.5%
9.0%
5.5%
5.9%
1996
80.0%
85.2%
13.8%
9.3%
6.3%
5.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Manhattan
Washington
Manhattan
Washington
CATHOLIC CHURCH
20.4%
12.6%
12.6%
7.4%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.7%
0.7%
2.4%
1.1%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.7%
3.1%
5.3%
5.3%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.6%
6.2%
4.7%
10.3%
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%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.5%
2.0%
2.1%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.9%
2.4%
1.8%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.2%
4.4%
2.9%
10.3%
Weather
The weather in both cities shows the four seasons distinctly. Manhattan experiences cold winters with significant snowfall, and hot, humid summers. D.C., on the other hand, has milder winters with less snowfall but similarly hot, humid summers. In general, the climate in Washington D.C. is a bit milder when compared to Manhattan's.
Weather and climate
Type
Manhattan
Washington
Temperature - Average
54.6°F
56.4°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
67.4%
68.8%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
30%
33%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
77%
81%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
47%
48%
Precipitation - Yearly average
49.6 in
42.7 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
57.4 in
32.4 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
17.8%
15.9%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.2%
61.5%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
21%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
66%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
44%
45%
Wind speed - Average
6.7 mph
9.7 mph
Average climate in Manhattan, New York
Average climate in Washington, District of Columbia
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Manhattan
Washington
Manhattan
Washington
Manhattan
Washington
Manhattan
Washington
Manhattan
Washington
Manhattan
Washington
Manhattan
Washington
Manhattan
Washington
2018
94
88
0.29
0.32
17.3
11.6
23.9
23.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.4
7.9
8.8
0.5
0.8
2017
97
84
0.16
0.32
17.4
12.3
24.0
24.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.5
7.7
9.8
0.4
1.0
2016
94
98
0.28
0.43
18.1
14.7
24.2
24.6
N/A
0.002
N/A
17.2
7.7
9.5
0.6
1.0
2015
100
91
0.36
0.34
18.9
14.8
23.0
26.2
N/A
0.002
N/A
17.0
8.6
10.4
1.0
1.3
2014
95
85
0.40
0.33
19.1
11.6
22.3
25.9
N/A
0.002
N/A
17.1
8.3
10.0
1.1
1.0
2013
97
88
0.43
0.34
19.5
11.7
22.6
25.6
N/A
0.002
N/A
17.3
9.0
11.6
1.1
1.0
2012
99
103
0.46
0.58
18.6
15.2
23.4
27.6
N/A
0.002
N/A
N/A
9.3
12.2
1.7
1.6
2011
108
105
0.46
0.67
20.7
15.4
22.2
27.7
N/A
0.002
N/A
N/A
10.9
11.4
2.7
3.1
2010
113
114
0.45
0.88
19.3
15.9
23.3
29.3
N/A
0.003
N/A
N/A
10.4
9.3
2.7
3.4
2009
104
90
0.51
0.86
21.9
16.2
18.8
24.4
N/A
0.002
N/A
N/A
10.7
7.6
3.8
4.6
2008
110
103
0.49
1.23
23.0
16.2
19.8
25.3
0.013
0.003
N/A
N/A
12.3
8.5
4.6
5.6
2007
121
113
0.56
1.17
24.4
16.8
19.4
27.1
0.016
0.004
N/A
N/A
13.1
10.4
5.5
5.1
2006
116
114
0.64
1.11
24.6
17.2
18.9
25.5
0.018
0.004
N/A
N/A
12.9
10.9
6.5
4.5
2005
112
105
0.77
0.86
26.7
20.5
18.4
22.7
N/A
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.7
8.2
4.5
2004
108
113
0.77
0.62
26.7
21.3
17.3
20.6
0.030
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.3
8.0
6.5
2003
107
108
0.83
0.90
27.8
23.6
17.5
20.8
0.024
N/A
26.9
N/A
N/A
12.2
8.2
8.3
2002
122
125
0.78
1.16
27.9
23.7
18.7
25.0
0.008
N/A
25.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.3
6.7
2001
123
113
0.79
1.07
29.4
23.9
19.4
22.0
0.020
0.017
25.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.7
6.7
2000
115
115
0.90
1.17
30.2
20.2
15.0
19.1
0.022
N/A
22.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.4
8.2
Natural disasters
Type
Manhattan
Washington
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
59.1%
110.6%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
31.1%
42.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
18%
19%
Transportation
Manhattan has an extensive and efficient public transportation system, centered on the subway, supplemented by buses and taxis. Washington D.C. also has a solid public transit system, the Metrorail and Metrobus, along with Capital Bikeshare for cyclists. Both cities suffer from significant traffic congestion.
Transport
Type
Manhattan
Washington
Amtrak stations
0
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
2
456
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
3
Means of transportation to work
Type
Manhattan
Washington
Bicycle
0.9%
2%
Bus
10.1%
6.3%
Carpooled
3.4%
7.8%
Car alone
7.6%
62.5%
Railroad
1.1%
0.3%
Streetcar
0.1%
10.6%
Subway
43.6%
1.3%
Taxicab
4.7%
0.8%
Walked
21.9%
5.7%
Average travel time to work
Type
Manhattan
Washington
Average
30.3 min
39.2 min
Real Estate
Manhattan’s real estate is among the most expensive in the nation, with high demand for both residential and commercial properties. Washington D.C.'s real estate is also high in demand, but comes at a lower cost comparatively.
Neighborhoods
Manhattan is home to some famously vibrant neighborhoods such as Times Square, Tribeca and the Upper East Side. Washington D.C. also has widely recognized neighborhoods such as Georgetown, Capitol Hill, and Dupont Circle. Each area in both cities has its own distinctive character and charm.
Houses and residents
Type
Manhattan
Washington
Houses
798,144
357,482
Average household size (people)
2
2.1
Houses occupied
738,644 (92.5%)
319,565 (89.4%)
Houses occupied by owners
148,695 (20.1%)
132,936 (41.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
589,949 (79.9%)
186,629 (58.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,690
$2,791
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$3,393,315
$996,150
Estimated median house or condo value
$940,900
$669,900
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.2
3.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
4
6
Renting percentage
77.2%
58%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
34,757
5,821.9
Household income disparities
47.8%
45.7%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,104 (40.3%)
777 (0.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
13 (0.5%)
8,586 (8.5%)
Housing units with a mortgage
1,636 (59.7%)
100,122 (99.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
140 (5.1%)
1,057 (1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
140 (5.1%)
12,793 (12.7%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2%
1.5%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
69,517
16,654
State government workers
15,544
6,699
Unpaid family workers
1,861
580
Industries and Occupations
In Manhattan, the financial industry dominates, followed by media, arts, fashion, and technology occupations. In Washington D.C., the government sector is prominent, along with legal services, education, health, and tourism-related jobs.
Both cities excel in health care, with multiple world-class medical centers. Manhattan is home to hospitals like New York-Presbyterian and Mount Sinai. In the D.C. area, there are institutions such as Medstar Georgetown University Hospital.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Manhattan
Washington
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Manhattan's infrastructure is one of its defining features, with its iconic skyline marked by towering skyscrapers. Washington D.C.'s infrastructure markedly differs with its low-rise skyline, due to height restrictions on buildings, intended to preserve the distinctiveness of important monuments. Both cities have well-established public utilities, though Manhattan's are generally more strained due to its larger population.
Infrastructure
Type
Manhattan
Washington
TV stations
30
27
Culture and Food
Culture and food are rich and diverse in both cities. Manhattan offers a plethora of dining options ranging from street food to Michelin-starred restaurants. Washington D.C. also boasts a multi-cultural dining scene, besides its unique history and cultural institutions like the Smithsonian Museums.
Sports Teams
Both cities have major sports teams. Manhattan is known for teams like the New York Yankees, New York Knicks, and the New York Giants. In comparison, Washington D.C. is home to teams like the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, and the Washington Nationals.
Manhattan, NY
Washington, DC
Manhattan, NY and 
Washington, DC : 206.0 miles
