Everything You Need to Know About the Boroughs of NYC

Living in New York City can look different for everyone, especially depending on which borough you live in. NYC is split into 5 different sections, also known as boroughs, and you may already know their names: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island. 

Each borough is like a city of its own, with New Yorkers having specific hometown pride for location. Wondering which area is the right fit for you? Here’s everything you need to know about living in NYC, broken down borough by borough!

 

Living in New York City: Quick Facts

Dense Population: It’s no secret that New York City is packed! In fact, the population of New York City is a little over 8.8 million. 

Job Opportunities: While New York City’s unemployment rate (4.8%) is slightly higher than the national average (4.3%), New York has one of the largest job markets in the country, but due to its high population, the competition can be tough. In the words of Fortune, “New York City is home to the highest number of Fortune 500 companies and second place isn’t even close.” So, if you have your sights set on corporate success, New York is the place to be! 

Arts and Culture: New York is home to a variety of museums, theaters, and historical sights. From Broadway to the Museum of Modern Art, to Carnegie Hall, or even Madison Square Garden, there is no shortage of artistry to be found in NYC. You can even credit it as the birthplace of many popular music genres across recent history, such as hip-hop, punk rock, disco, and new wave. 

Walkability: Most New Yorkers ditch their car when they live in the city. This is mostly because they can walk a reasonable distance for groceries, entertainment, or the subway. On the flip side, traffic is hectic over there! 

Common Questions About New York City 

What time zone is New York City in? 

New York is in the Eastern Time Zone, usually about 3 hours ahead of the West coast. 

Where is New York City Located? 

NYC is in the heart of New York State, sandwiched between Newark and Long Island. 

Is New York City Safe? 

With such a high population, New York is often labeled as unsafe. In reality the New York City government has announced that in 2024 crime is on a stark decline! 

The 5 Boroughs of New York City 

You’ll come to find that most New Yorkers won’t leave their home borough, because you can find basically everything you need within each one. Each borough has its own unique personality and style. Wondering which borough is the right fit for you? Here’s a breakdown of what you can find in each borough, and the best neighborhoods to settle down in. 

Brooklyn  

Median Home Price: $835K 

Median Rent: $1,715 

When you hear about how expensive New York is, chances are they’re talking about the rent prices in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Living in Brooklyn is expensive and competitive, as it’s the most populated borough in New York. Don’t let the reputation of high rent scare you, though! The prices can vary greatly between neighborhoods, so pay attention to where you’re apartment hunting. 

With the high number of people living in Brooklyn, this means that there is plenty of art, culture, and diversity to find. Walking around this borough for an hour, let alone a day will lead to discovering great, authentic places to eat, gorgeous murals on buildings, and friendly locals who are proud to live in Brooklyn! 

Brooklyn has a reputation of being a commuter city to Manhattan, but there is plenty of industry and job opportunity in this borough! On top of that, you can get some fresh air and steps in at the iconic Prospect Park. Or if you’re more into iconic thrills, you can always make your way down to the famous Coney Island.  

 

Bronx 

Median Home Price: $678K 

Median Rent: $1,401 

The northmost borough in New York City, the Bronx is a historical and affordable borough, with the median rent and house prices being lower than other areas in the city. It’s well-known to be the birthplace of hip-hop, the New York Botanical Garden, and the famous Yankee’s stadium.  

Since the Bronx is one of the cheaper options in New York, you may find that it’s still undergoing revitalization efforts, so it may look rough around the edges at first glance. But you’ll quickly find that the schools are just as great as they are in other areas of the city, and the diversity of cultures makes it unlike any other city in the world. 

Manhattan 

Median Home Price: $1.2M 

Median Rent: $2,024 

When people talk about the Big Apple, they’re thinking of Manhattan. But don’t call it that unless you want to be labeled as a tourist! This borough is action-packed, fast-paced, and one of the most expensive places to live in the entire United States.  

Manhattan is home to New York’s most iconic sights, like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Central Park, just to name a few. On top of this, you’ll have access to some of the most anticipated widely anticipated performances in the world, from the bright lights of Broadway to the exhilarating games and shows taking place at Madison Square Garden. And you can get an education at one of the most famous universities in the world, NYU! 

Many people flock to Manhattan for job opportunities, since over 1/3 of all Fortune 500 companies are headquartered here. But as we mentioned before, this borough is also pricey to say the least, so many New Yorkers commute into Manhattan thanks to NYC’s public transportation system. If you can afford the higher price tag, living in Manhattan is unlike anywhere else in the world. 

Queens 

Median Home Price: $730K 

Median Rent: $1,847 

Flying into New York? Then you’ll be landing in Queens, which is home to JFK and the LaGuardia airports. Queens is the largest borough in New York and is home to some of the most cultural diversity in the city. Fun fact: did you know that every language in the modern world is spoken in Queens?  With this comes along a foodie’s paradise, with delicious food from every corner of the world finding its way to Queens. You haven’t seen New York until you’ve caught a game at Citi Field! 

Living in Queens is more affordable than most other boroughs in New York, making it popular with young professionals, families, and everyone in between. And with access to buses and subway lines, you can easily commute to the other boroughs in NY.  

There’s plenty to do in Queens, too! With Astoria Park and Rockaway Beach full of outdoor activities, and shopping opportunities around the borough, it’s always easy to find something to do. And if you’re seeking higher education, you’ll be around highly esteemed schools like St. John’s University, or Queens College and York College.  

Staten Island 

Median Home Price: $670K 

Median Rent: $1,602 

Catch a ride on the iconic Staten Island Ferry to see how New Yorkers live across the river! While Staten Island is completely separated by water, it’s just as much a New York City borough as any other. Even still, it can feel very different from the appeal the other boroughs have.  

Staten Island is undergoing many renovations, from businesses to setting up shops, to apartments and housing revitalizing the area. On top of this, it’s cheaper than the other boroughs and has much more room for families to spread out and lay their roots. But there’s also less nightlife and social opportunities compared to places like Manhattan or Brooklyn. 

And since Staten Island is quite literally a ferry ride away from Manhattan, you’ll find that it’s much harder to commute to the mainland of New York City, but not impossible. Though, this explains why Staten Island often feels like a completely different city compared to the rest of NYC. If you’re living in Staten Island, odds are that you’re spending most of your time there, too! 

Moving to New York with U-Box 

When it comes to moving to the Big Apple, it doesn’t get easier than renting with U-Box by U-Haul. With a U-Box container, all you have to do is pack it up and we can ship it to your new address, even to the busy streets of Manhattan! Each U-Box container comes with furniture moving pads and the first month free storage, ensuring that you have plenty of time to finish your move. 

So, what do you say, ready to get moving? Then get a quote today!