Comparison · New York City vs Washington, D.C. · United States
New York City vs Washington, D.C.
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Dllu, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose New York City for Statue of Liberty, Central Park and beaches; choose Washington, D.C. for National Mall, Smithsonian museums, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Washington, D.C. is generally less expensive, and the two are about 328 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 328 km
- Less expensive
- Washington, D.C.
- Best time for New York City
- April–June and September–October
- Best time for Washington, D.C.
- April–May and September–October
Side by side
| New York City | Washington, D.C. | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Broadway | National Mall, Smithsonian museums and Lincoln Memorial |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–October | April–May and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $300–$500 | $250–$400 |
| Cost level | Very expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 29°C (84°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 4°C (39°F) | January, 7°C (45°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 18 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 7 |
| Beaches | Coney Island and Brighton Beach | — |
| Airports | JFK, EWR, LGA | DCA, IAD, BWI |
Which one is right for you?
Choose New York City for…
Statue of Liberty, Central Park and beaches. New York's five boroughs hold more than eight million people, but most visitors focus on Manhattan, a long island of skyscrapers with Central Park in the middle, and the parts of Brooklyn just across the East River. The grid of avenues and numbered streets…
Choose Washington, D.C. for…
National Mall, Smithsonian museums, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Washington, D.C. lines up its monuments and the Smithsonian museums along the National Mall, a grassy axis of about 3 km between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. Almost all of the big museums are free, which makes the capital unusually good value for a…
Top sights compared
| # | New York City | Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Park | National Mall |
| 2 | Metropolitan Museum of Art | Lincoln Memorial |
| 3 | Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island | Washington Monument |
| 4 | Empire State Building | United States Capitol |
| 5 | Top of the Rock | Library of Congress (Jefferson Building) |
Food compared
| New York City | Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|
| New York pizza slice | Half-smoke |
| Bagel with lox | Mumbo sauce |
| Pastrami on rye | Ethiopian injera and wot |
| Hot dog | Steamed blue crabs |
Which is cheaper?
Washington, D.C. is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $250–$400 per person there, against $300–$500 in New York City (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Washington, D.C. on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. New York City and Washington, D.C. are about 328 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 5 days in New York City and 4 in Washington, D.C..
Questions travellers ask
+Is New York City or Washington, D.C. cheaper?
Washington, D.C. is usually less expensive: about $250–$400 a day mid-range against $300–$500 (estimates).
+Is New York City or Washington, D.C. better for a first trip?
Pick New York City for Statue of Liberty, Central Park and beaches, or Washington, D.C. for National Mall, Smithsonian museums, lower day-to-day costs and free sights.
+How far is New York City from Washington, D.C.?
About 328 km in a straight line.