A guide to New York City’s five boroughs and how they differ

Key takeaways

• New York City has five boroughs — Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island — each with distinct neighborhoods, housing styles, lifestyles and representation in the City Council.
• The cost of living varies widely: Manhattan is the most expensive borough, followed by Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island, while the Bronx is generally the most affordable. 
• Choosing where to live involves tradeoffs: Manhattan and Brooklyn offer central locations and dense, urban living, while the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island provide more space, parks and residential environments, often with strong transit and ferry access. 

When many picture New York City, they think of Midtown Manhattan with skyscrapers, crowded streets and a bustling dining and shopping scene. But the city is made up of five boroughs, each with its own identity, and Manhattan is just one part of the larger picture.

New York City’s five boroughs are Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.

Manhattan’s skyline is one of the most recognizable in the world, anchored by landmarks such as One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. The borough is home to iconic destinations, including Central Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Center and Madison Square Garden.

Manhattan is often associated with fast-paced living, dense crowds and high rents. While that holds true in some neighborhoods, the borough offers a range of living environments — from quiet residential enclaves to bustling commercial districts.

“The misconception about Manhattan is that it’s all expensive, busy and loud,” said Matthew Bank, president and real estate broker at Bank Neary Inc. “But it’s a large borough with a wide range of neighborhoods, including some that are quieter and more affordable.”

• Harlem: Known for its role in the Harlem Renaissance, the Apollo and the community's deep cultural roots 
• Upper East Side: Recognized as an affluent neighborhood near Central Park with luxury housing and cultural institutions 
• Upper West Side: Renowned for Columbia University, museums, parks and its strong residential feel 
• Midtown: Famous for Broadway, Times Square, Madison Square Garden, many office buildings and luxury towers going up on Billionaires' Row
• West/Greenwich Village: Celebrated for its artsy, walkable streets with boutiques, dining, New York University and The New School 
• Chinatown: Distinguished for being one of the largest Chinese communities in the Western Hemisphere 
• Financial District: Recognized as the center of global finance and being the home of the New York Stock Exchange 
• SoHo: Widely regarded for its trendy retail and gallery district 
• Tribeca: Identified for loft-style living and the Tribeca Film Festival 
• East Village: Known for its nightlife and music history 

Manhattan is the most expensive borough, with annual living costs exceeding $150,000 in some areas, according to The Fund for the City of New York, a nonprofit foundation. Uptown Manhattan’s average cost of living for a family of four is $137,000 while downtown's average is $167,000.

The average home in Manhattan cost $1.7 million and the average rent is $4,121 for a one-bedroom unit, according to Homes.com. Some neighborhoods are more expensive while others are more affordable.

Brooklyn blends historic charm with modern trends. The borough's known for its food scene, independent shops and cultural institutions, as well as landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge, Prospect Park and Coney Island.

With more than 2.6 million residents, Brooklyn offers a mix of urban density and neighborhood charm. Many areas are highly walkable, with tree-lined streets, brownstones and access to green space.

• Williamsburg: Known for contemporary art scene, nightlife and boutique shopping
• Brooklyn Heights: Celebrated for its historic brownstones and waterfront views 
• Park Slope: Sought after for its family-friendly vibe and easy access to Prospect Park 
• Bushwick: Noted for street art and converted industrial spaces 
• Sheepshead Bay: Famous for its waterfront community with a scenic bay, fishing and boating, and long-standing seafood restaurants
• DUMBO: Widely regarded for its cobblestone streets and skyline views 

The estimated annual cost of living for a family of four in Northwest Brooklyn is about $154,000. The rest of the borough's average cost of living is $132,000, though prices vary widely by neighborhood.

Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn is $3,000 on average. The median sales price for a home in Brooklyn over the last 12 months was $815,000, according to Homes.com.

The Bronx is known as the birthplace of hip-hop and has long been a center of cultural diversity. It’s home to major attractions, including Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden, and Fordham University.

The Bronx offers a mix of housing styles, from dense apartment buildings to suburban-like neighborhoods. The borough has experienced significant growth in recent decades and continues to evolve.

• Riverdale: Known for scenic views and large homes 
• Throgs Neck: Noted for its waterfront residential community 
• Woodlawn Heights: Celebrated for its quiet neighborhood with single-family homes 
• Belmont: Famous for being the borough's “Little Italy” 
• Pelham Bay: Distinguished for being near the city’s largest park 

The Bronx is generally considered to be the most affordable borough, with an estimated annual cost of living for a family of four of about $125,000.

The median home sale in the Bronx over the last 12 months was $400,000, and the average rent for a one-bedroom is $1,600 a month in the Bronx, according to Homes.com.

Queens is the most diverse borough in New York City, with neighborhoods representing cultures from around the world. It’s also home to Citi Field, Flushing Meadows Corona Park and major airports.

Queens offers a wide range of housing options, from apartments to single-family homes. Some neighborhoods are highly walkable, while others are more car dependent.

• Jamaica: Regarded as a major commercial hub 
• Flushing: Known for its cultural and business center with a strong Asian influence 
• Astoria: Celebrated for dining and nightlife 
• Jackson Heights: Considered one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city 
• Long Island City: Identified with a rapidly growing waterfront area 
• Forest Hills: Treasured for its quiet, residential neighborhood with historic homes 

The estimated annual cost of living for a family in Queens is about $132,000. The average rent for a one-bedroom in Queens is $3,500 and the median sale price for a Queens home in last 12 months was $975,000, according to Homes.com.

Known as the “Borough of Parks,” Staten Island offers access to beaches, green spaces and outdoor recreation.

Staten Island has a more suburban feel than the other boroughs, with many single-family homes and quieter neighborhoods. It’s connected to Manhattan by the Staten Island Ferry.

• Todt Hill: Known as one of the borough’s most affluent areas 
• Lighthouse Hill: Celebrated as a residential community with large homes 
• Great Kills: Associated with its coastal neighborhood with access to parks 
• St. George: Distinguished for its transit hub with ferry access and waterfront views 

The annual cost of living for a family in Staten Island is estimated to be about $129,000.

The average rent is $1,716 a month in Staten Island, and the median sales price in the borough for the past 12 months was $695,000, Homes.com reports.

With more than 350 neighborhoods across the five boroughs, choosing where to live depends on two key factors: budget and lifestyle preferences.

Costs vary significantly. Manhattan is the most expensive, followed by Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island, with the Bronx typically the most affordable. If you are able to, having roommates can bring down costs.

Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn offer proximity to jobs and entertainment, while the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island provide more space and quieter, residential settings. Public transit, including subways, buses and ferries, makes commuting possible from all boroughs.

New York City has five boroughs: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.

A borough in New York City is defined as a major governmental district. Each of New York City's boroughs is associated with a state county — that is, Manhattan is in New York County, Queens is in Queens County, Staten Island is in Richmond County, the Bronx is in Bronx County and Brooklyn is in Kings County.

Long Island is not one of the boroughs, but technically, Queens and Brooklyn are on Long Island. That said, you wouldn't say either of these boroughs are "on Long Island." References to Long Island generally include communities in Suffolk and Nassau counties.

Harlem is in the borough of Manhattan. More specifically, it is located in upper Manhattan and is bounded by Central Park North and West 155th Street.

This story was updated on May 12.