Motley

Manhattan neighborhoods

32 neighborhoods in Manhattan, each scored on nine family signals. Upper East Side-Lenox Hill-Roosevelt Island leads for overall family fit (68/100); the safest is Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village, the most affordable is Inwood and the best-connected is Midtown South-Flatiron-Union Square.

The best in Manhattan, by priority

68/100
Best overall for familiesUpper East Side-Lenox Hill-Roosevelt Island
See the neighborhood: Upper East Side-Lenox Hill-Roosevelt IslandSee the full ranking: Families in Manhattan

Collections in Manhattan

Lists picked by a stated rule — each says exactly how we chose. None of them is a ranking.

Schools · 3 in Manhattan

Zoned schools that beat their district while serving high-need students

  • A public zoned school serving some of grades K–8.
  • An Economic Need Index of 60 or more (the city's measure of how many students face economic hardship).
  • Average ELA and math proficiency on the New York State tests at least 10 points above its district's average.
Methodology→
Neighborhoods · 1 in Manhattan

Affordable family neighborhoods with a school that beats its district

  • A residential neighborhood.
  • Median asking rent below the median of residential neighborhoods.
  • A share of residents under 18 at or above the median of residential neighborhoods.
  • At least one zoned school that beats its district while serving high-need students, zoned to it or located in it.
Methodology→
Neighborhoods · 1 in Manhattan

Family neighborhoods where no single group is a majority

  • A residential neighborhood.
  • No census group makes up 50% or more of residents. The five groups: Hispanic or Latino of any race, and non-Hispanic White, Black, Asian and all others (American Community Survey 2018–2022, table B03002).
  • A share of residents under 18 at or above the median of residential neighborhoods.
Methodology→
High school programs · 13 in Manhattan

High school programs with more seats per applicant

  • 2 or fewer applicants per seat, from the city's published seats and applicant counts.
  • Fewer applicants per seat means more room, not a better program.
See all 13: High school programs with more seats per applicant in ManhattanMethodology→
Schools · 41 in Manhattan

Schools where no single group is a majority, and families rate them highly

  • No student group makes up 50% or more of enrollment (Asian, Black, Hispanic, White, multiracial and Native American, from the city's school demographics).
  • Family satisfaction on the 2025 NYC School Survey at or above the median of rated schools.
  • At least 30 family responses, so a tiny sample doesn't qualify.
See all 41: Schools where no single group is a majority, and families rate them highly in ManhattanMethodology→

Every Manhattan neighborhood

All 32 residential neighborhoods in Manhattan, A–Z. Each page carries its own schools, safety and cost-of-living scores, transit, parks, and the family-fit read.

Manhattan, A–Z32

Schools in Manhattan

Frequently Asked Questions

How many neighborhoods are in Manhattan?
We track 32 residential neighborhoods in Manhattan, each with its own schools, safety, transit, parks, and cost of living. Every one is listed on this page.
What is the best neighborhood in Manhattan for families?
Upper East Side-Lenox Hill-Roosevelt Island ranks highest for overall family fit (68/100), ahead of Upper East Side-Yorkville. The best fit depends on your family, so rank Manhattan's neighborhoods by safety, schools, affordability, transit, things to do, or health.
What is the safest neighborhood in Manhattan?
Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village scores highest for safety in Manhattan (95/100). The safety score counts NYPD crime complaints, pedestrian and cyclist injuries, and serious (Class C) housing violations, each counted per 1,000 residents.

Which of these fits your family?

Our neighborhood search ranks Manhattan's neighborhoods by your own weights — safety, schools, affordability, transit and more — so you see the order that matters to you, not a generic list. Free, no account needed.

Rank neighborhoods for my family →