City profile · New York · Census ACS 2023

New York, NY

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for New York - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

8,516,202
Residents
$79,713
Median income
$751,700
Median home
$2,910
Median rent (state)

New York - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, New York places in the 61st percentile for household income and the 15th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

61st
percentile, household income
94th
percentile, home value
96th
percentile, median rent
15th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: New York, NY

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 8,516,202 residents in New York, a major U.S. city within New York. Median household income here is $79,713 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 13.6%. New York's housing stock carries a median value of $751,700, and the median resident age is 38.0 years. Educational attainment runs 41.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 58.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 480 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 27% from five years earlier. New York's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 3039.3 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

New York carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, New York scores 107.9 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,910 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in New York run around $285, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for New York workers runs 34.5 minutes, with 21.9% driving alone and 15.0% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 99.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

8,516,202 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New York

Median Household Income

$79,713 /yr

Poverty 13.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.9 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New York average

How does New York compare to other US cities?

Here's how New York stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 61% higher than other cities
Home value 94% pricier than other cities
Median rent 96% pricier than other cities
Safety 15% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at New York, New York ranks #38 of 55 New York cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below New York's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in New York, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

61stIncome percentile
15thSafety percentile

61st percentile nationally for median household income · 15th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

New York's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

New York's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 27 Avg. percentile National median
New York's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How New York's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$751,700 6th percentile more affordable than 6% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. New York $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - New York, NY New York, NY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not New York, NY-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution New York, NY median $79,713/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
New York, NY's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for New York, NY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 41.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
8,516,202
Median Income
$79,713
Median Home Value
$751,700
Median Age
38.0
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Labor force participation
58.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
41.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3039.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
671.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2368.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
355
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
8,200,000 residents8,400,000 residents8,600,000 residents8,800,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 8,751,188 residents 8,584,629 residents ▼ -1.9%
New York's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
480
housing units authorized
Single-Family
108
detached homes
Multifamily
372
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 661
2020 408
2021 310
2022 895
2023 460
2024 480

Permit volume decreased 27% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
34.5 minutes
Drive Alone
21.9%
Carpool
4.3%
Public Transit
45.6%
Walk
9.4%
Work from Home
15.0%
Other
3.8%

Based on 3,954,938 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New York - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$65
avg/month
Total Utilities
$285
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New York state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a New York state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county New York sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.9
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,910/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New York

Buffalo
276,397 people
Rochester
209,720 people
Yonkers
209,529 people
Syracuse
146,211 people
Albany
100,081 people
New Rochelle
81,591 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to New York's 8,516,202 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Los Angeles, CA
3,857,897 people
Chicago, IL
2,707,648 people
Houston, TX
2,300,419 people
Phoenix, AZ
1,624,832 people
Philadelphia, PA
1,582,432 people
San Antonio, TX
1,458,954 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to New York's $79,713 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

White Bear Lake, MN
$79,712 median income
Taunton, MA
$79,715 median income
Yountville, CA
$79,696 median income
North Pekin, IL
$79,730 median income
San Fernando, CA
$79,694 median income
Sheridan, CA
$79,732 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - New York, NY Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition New York, NY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 35.9% 22.7% 14.6% 15.5% 10.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 28.4% White 35.9% Black or African American 22.7% Asian 14.6% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 15.5% Two or more races 10.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How New York compares to nearby New York cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
New York (this city) 8,516,202 $79,713
Buffalo 276,397 $48,050
Rochester 209,720 $46,628
Yonkers 209,529 $81,816
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NY FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about New York, NY?

What is the population of New York, NY? +

New York, NY counts 8,516,202 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in New York, NY? +

In New York, the typical household earns $79,713 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in New York? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for New York; the closest available measure is the New York state average, a cost of living index of 107.9 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New York vary by metro area.

Is New York, NY safe? +

New York has a total crime rate of 3039.3 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in New York, NY? +

New York's median home value sits at $751,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.