New York County

New York · NY

#55 in New York
53.8
County Score

County Report Card

About New York County, New York

Manhattan near the national average

New York County's composite score of 49.6 nearly matches the national median of 50.0, placing it just below average nationally. This belies Manhattan's extreme polarization: exceptional opportunities paired with historic housing costs.

Below average for New York state

New York County's score of 49.6 trails the state average of 54.7 by 5.1 points, ranking it in the lower tier of New York counties. This reflects the extreme cost structure that defines living in Manhattan.

Tax efficiency and exceptional incomes

New York County's tax score of 76.9 reflects the lowest effective tax rate in this group at just 0.902%. Median household income of $104,553 and an income score of 51.6 support upper-middle-class status in America's economic engine.

Housing costs are off the charts

Median home values of $1.1 million and rents of $2,132 monthly create a cost score of just 28.7—among the worst nationally. Even six-figure incomes face severe housing affordability constraints in Manhattan.

For wealthy professionals and established careers

New York County (Manhattan) suits high-earning professionals, executives, and the wealthy who value urban intensity and career opportunity above affordability. This is a choice about lifestyle and ambition, not livability in conventional terms.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax76.9Cost28.7SafetyComing SoonHealth82.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome51.6Risk1.2WaterComing Soon
🏛76.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠28.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼51.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
82.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
1.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

New York County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in New York County

via TaxByCounty

Manhattan's exceptionally low effective tax rate

New York County's (Manhattan's) effective tax rate of 0.902% is among the lowest in the entire nation, far below the national median of 2.1% and positioning it in the bottom 5% of all American counties. Yet the typical homeowner pays $10,001 annually—nearly four times the national median of $2,690—because the median home value of $1,108,900 is extraordinary.

New York's lowest rate on the nation's priciest homes

New York County's 0.902% rate is by far the lowest in New York State, well below the state average of 2.046%. The median tax bill of $10,001 exceeds the state average of $4,709 more than twofold, entirely due to Manhattan's median home value of $1,108,900—the highest of any county examined.

Lowest rate in the state; highest prices in the nation

New York County's 0.902% rate beats every other county in New York by a wide margin, even Nassau County (1.518%). However, its $10,001 median tax bill matches Nassau's exactly, because New York County's homes cost 68% more, offsetting its substantially lower rate.

What a typical Manhattan home costs to own

On New York County's median home value of $1,108,900, you'll pay roughly $10,001 in annual property taxes at the current effective rate. This reflects Manhattan's status as the global center of wealth, where even low tax rates applied to extraordinary property values yield substantial absolute tax bills.

You may be overassessed—here's what to do

Across New York, many homeowners discover their assessed values exceed fair market value, opening the door to successful tax appeals. If you believe your Manhattan property is overvalued relative to recent comparable sales, filing a grievance during the assessment review period could provide meaningful relief on your substantial annual bill.

Cost of Living in New York County

via CostByCounty

Manhattan: highest affordability burden in state

New York County renters spend 24.5% of income on housing—far above the national average and the highest rate in New York State. Median rent of $2,132 per month is nearly double the state average of $1,133, placing Manhattan in a cost category of its own despite median household income of $104,553.

New York County dominates cost-of-living charts

At 24.5%, New York County's rent-to-income ratio is unmatched in the state, reflecting Manhattan's global financial center status and limited housing supply. The county's $2,132 median rent is the highest in New York by a wide margin, with homebuying even more punishing at $1,108,900 median home value.

Dramatically costlier than any peer

New York County's $2,132 rent marginally exceeds Nassau County's $2,195 (though with lower income base), while home values of $1.1 million are 67% higher than Nassau's. No upstate peer comes remotely close in either metric, making Manhattan a uniquely expensive market.

Housing dominates the household budget

Households earn $104,553 annually but spend roughly $25,584 on rent (24.5%) and $31,704 on ownership costs if mortgaged—among the highest absolute dollar amounts in the nation. At nearly one-quarter of gross income devoted to rent alone, New York County residents sacrifice significant budgetary flexibility compared to any other county in the state.

New York County: premium access demands premium pay

Manhattan's 24.5% rent-to-income ratio and $2,132 monthly rent demand either very high income or significant financial sacrifice; median home values exceeding $1 million rule out traditional homeownership for most. Relocators should realistically assess whether Manhattan's unparalleled job market and cultural access justify dedicating nearly one-quarter of household income to rent.

Income & Jobs in New York County

via IncomeByCounty

Manhattan vastly exceeds national income

New York County's median household income of $104,553 is 39.8% above the national median of $74,755, reflecting Manhattan's status as the nation's finance and media capital. This places the county among the top 5% of the wealthiest counties in America.

New York's richest county

At $104,553, New York County (Manhattan) is the highest-income county in the state, surpassing the state average of $76,433 by $28,120. Only Nassau County ($143,408) comes close, creating a two-county wealth monopoly in New York.

Manhattan towers over surrounding counties

New York County's $104,553 obliterates Monroe County ($74,409) by 40% and exceeds Nassau County by only 27%, reflecting Manhattan's unmatched concentration of wealth. The county's global financial and cultural dominance translates directly into the nation's highest per capita income of $94,922.

High income barely covers Manhattan costs

Despite the highest income in the region, New York County's rent-to-income ratio of 24.5% approaches the affordability danger line, with median home values reaching $1,108,900. Earning $104,553 in Manhattan requires careful budgeting, especially for housing.

Optimize wealth in a high-cost city

Manhattan residents earning above the county median should work with tax specialists to navigate New York City's complex tax environment and explore alternative investments beyond real estate. Consider diversifying into out-of-state assets and using tax-advantaged accounts strategically to preserve wealth amid the city's elevated living costs.

Health in New York County

via HealthByCounty

New York County sets the global health standard

At 83.0 years, New York County (Manhattan) residents live longer than residents of most developed nations, exceeding the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 6.6 years. Despite this, 15.2% report poor or fair health, suggesting wealth and access coexist with health inequality.

Highest life expectancy in New York State

New York County's 83.0-year life expectancy is the highest in the state, surpassing New York's average of 77.9 years by 5.1 years. This reflects Manhattan's concentration of world-class medical institutions and affluent populations with robust healthcare access.

Manhattan vastly outpaces regional peers

New York County's 83.0-year life expectancy is 4.7 years higher than Nassau County's 81.3 and more than 7 years ahead of Montgomery and Niagara counties. With 137 primary care and an extraordinary 1,112 mental health providers per 100K, Manhattan's provider density is unmatched.

Dense provider network serves diverse population

New York County's 4.7% uninsured rate is below the state average, yet the 15.2% poor/fair health rate reflects pockets of vulnerability within Manhattan's diverse neighborhoods. The extraordinary 1,112 mental health providers per 100K indicates robust behavioral health infrastructure catering to the city's high-stress environment.

Coverage gaps persist even in Manhattan

New York County's 4.7% uninsured rate means thousands of residents remain exposed to financial hardship from medical emergencies—don't assume insurance will find you. Visit New York State of Health now to enroll or verify coverage, and help uninsured neighbors access care.

Disaster Risk in New York County

via RiskByCounty

New York County faces the nation's highest disaster risk

At 98.79, New York County's composite risk score ranks among America's top 1% most disaster-exposed areas, earning a Relatively High rating. Manhattan's dense urban footprint, waterfront geography, and seismic proximity create unique and overlapping vulnerabilities.

Highest disaster risk in all of New York State

New York County's 98.79 score stands above even Nassau County (97.14), making it the state's single most disaster-exposed county. This 29-point margin above the state average of 69.42 reflects Manhattan's extraordinary concentration of hazard exposure.

Incomparably higher risk than any upstate county

New York County (98.79) dwarfs even the highest-risk upstate region, Monroe County (93.77), by 5 full points. Its risk profile stands alone in the state, driven by the island's waterfront exposure and earthquake proximity rather than weather-based hazards.

Flooding and earthquakes create the primary threat

Flood risk (99.24) and earthquake risk (96.95) both reach near-maximum severity in New York County, alongside hurricane risk (96.79) and tornado risk (89.38). Wildfire risk (9.92) represents the lone exception—the island's density and limited open space virtually eliminate this hazard.

Elite-level insurance coverage is essential

Flood insurance, earthquake coverage, wind/hail protection, and substantial umbrella liability are non-negotiable in New York County. Renters should carry renter's insurance with flood and earthquake endorsements; all residents should review policies annually as flood zone maps and building codes evolve.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.