The main difference between New York and New York City is that New York is a state, while New York City is a city, which means it is located within the state of New York.
Many people refer to New York City as if it were the same city as New York. While they are both located in the state of New York, these two places are very different!
Key Differences
The difference in both terms
For example, while the term "New York'' refers only to one state (the State of New York), "New York City" can be used to refer exclusively or collectively to five boroughs: Manhattan; Brooklyn; Queens; Staten Island; and the Bronx. Another difference is that while "New Yorkers" live in all five boroughs of NYC, residents of New York State outside of NYC typically use "New York" to refer only to the five boroughs of NYC.
Governance
New York City has its own mayor and government that manages the city, while New York is managed by the Governor & the state government. NYC is the most populous city in the United States and has a population of over eight million people, while New York is home to more than 20 million residents.
Tourist Attractions
The most famous street in New York City is Broadway! It has theaters and shops that are visited frequently by tourists from all over the world. There's also Times Square which is full of bright lights and billboards for advertisements. Central Park can be found within its boundaries as well, a favorite for people looking to escape the busy city. Niagara Falls which falls in New York State & not city is an important tourist attraction.
Size
New York state has a total area of 54,555 square miles while NYC has a total area of only 472 square miles.
Infrastructure
New York City is full of tall buildings and skyscrapers! While New York has some very tall buildings as well, they are nothing compared to those in New York City. People working there may even have a harder time seeing the sky than their counterparts on Long Island or across upstate New York.
Comparison Chart: New York Vs New York City
| Parameters | New York State | New York City |
| Size | 54,555 sq mi | 472 sq mi |
| Population | 8 million+ | 20 million+ |
| Key Governance | Governor | Mayor |
| Diversity | Less Diverse | More Diverse |
| Tourist Attractions | Less | More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Manhattan Vs New York City: What's the Difference?
Manhattan is one of the five boroughs of New York City, the other four being the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island.
New York City is the name of the city in the state of New York containing the five boroughs just mentioned.
Manhattan has an area of 56.98km², surrounded by the Hudson River to the west, the Upper New York Bay to the south, the East River to the east and the Harlem River to the north.
Similarity
Despite the differences, people from both NYC & the New York state are identified as "New Yorkers".
Conclusion
New York City is full of culture and diversity, while New York has its fair share as well! They are both very interesting places to visit for those who love big cities like these two. Whether it's visiting the Empire State Building or walking through Central Park, there's plenty of activities available in each location! Both offer an incredibly unique experience, but knowing their difference makes it easier to understand the experiences you're having.
