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New York

London and New York

Compare city data. Available figures only, alongside their sources, years and coverage.

Population

London9,002,488World Cities Culture Forum2022 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2022
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York8,622,698World Cities Culture Forum2017 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2017
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Traffic congestion

London51.6%TomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York48.8%TomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Annual rush-hour time lost

London141 h/yearTomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York125 h/yearTomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Metro network

London436 kmWikipedia / UITP2026-09-20 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2026-09-20
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York443.7 kmWikipedia / UITP2026-09-20 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2026-09-20
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

IMD Smart City

London#4IMD Smart City Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IMD Smart City Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York#45IMD Smart City Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IMD Smart City Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

IESE Cities in Motion

London#1IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York#2IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Key differences

  • London has higher traffic congestion.
  • London has more annual time lost in traffic.
  • New York has a longer recorded metro network.

Detailed comparison

Open a section to explore. Metrics without data for either city are omitted.

RAW Measured dataBENCHMARK Source index / ranking

City overview

3 metrics

RAW Raw data

Population

London9,002,488World Cities Culture Forum2022 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2022
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York8,622,698World Cities Culture Forum2017 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2017
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Different data years; no direct comparison.

City area

London1,572 km²World Cities Culture Forum2019 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2019
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York784 km²World Cities Culture Forum2017 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2017
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Different data years; no direct comparison.

Population density

London5,726.8 people/km²World Cities Culture Forum2019, 2022 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2019, 2022
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York10,998.3 people/km²World Cities Culture Forum2017 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2017
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Data year is unspecified or spans multiple periods.

Transport

9 metrics

RAW Raw data

Traffic congestion

London51.6%TomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York48.8%TomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Annual rush-hour time lost

London141 h/yearTomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York125 h/yearTomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Traffic rank within country

London#8TomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York#4TomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Geographical or institutional boundaries can vary; figures are shown for context.

Change from 2024

London1 percentage pointsTomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York0 percentage pointsTomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Metro network

London436 kmWikipedia / UITP2026-09-20 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2026-09-20
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York443.7 kmWikipedia / UITP2026-09-20 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2026-09-20
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Metro stations

London317Wikipedia / UITP2026-09-20 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2026-09-20
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York458Wikipedia / UITP2026-09-20 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2026-09-20
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Metro systems

London2Wikipedia / UITP2026-09-20 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2026-09-20
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York3Wikipedia / UITP2026-09-20 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2026-09-20
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Annual metro ridership

London1,315 million/yearWikipedia / UITP2024 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2024
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York1,351.7 million/yearWikipedia / UITP2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Different data years; no direct comparison.

BENCHMARK Source benchmark

IESE mobility and transport rank

London#4IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York#3IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Environment

3 metrics

RAW Raw data

Public parks and gardens

London33%World Cities Culture Forum2015 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2015
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York27%World Cities Culture Forum2010 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2010
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Different data years; no direct comparison.

BENCHMARK Source benchmark

IESE environment rank

London#33IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York#93IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Oxford environment score

London83.2 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York72.8 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Governance

2 metrics

BENCHMARK Source benchmark

IESE governance rank

London#1IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York#6IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Oxford governance score

London80.5 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York75.7 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Urban planning

2 metrics

BENCHMARK Source benchmark

IESE overall rank

London#1IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York#2IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

IESE urban planning rank

London#1IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York#5IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Technology and digital city

2 metrics

BENCHMARK Source benchmark

IMD Smart City rank

London#4IMD Smart City Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IMD Smart City Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York#45IMD Smart City Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IMD Smart City Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

IESE technology rank

London#8IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York#6IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Economy

5 metrics

BENCHMARK Source benchmark

IESE economy rank

London#38IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York#104IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

IESE international projection rank

London#1IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York#2IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Oxford overall rank

London#2Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York#1Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Oxford overall score

London98.8 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York100 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Oxford economics score

London86.5 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York100 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Social life

4 metrics

BENCHMARK Source benchmark

IESE human capital rank

London#4IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York#1IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

IESE social cohesion rank

London#1IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York#4IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Oxford human capital score

London100 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York89.5 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Oxford quality of life score

London77 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
New York80.8 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Current projects

🇬🇧 London

Housing

Mayor’s Housebuilding Offer / City Hall Developer

🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom

London announced the first scheme under City Hall Developer as part of a wider push to restart housebuilding, with a large East London pipeline tied to the capital’s social and affordable housing programme.

First scheme: 7,000 homes in East London; wider programme about £12bn

Source: Greater London AuthorityOpen source

🇺🇸 New York

Data unavailable

Related comparisons

🇹🇷 Istanbul / Vienna🇹🇷 Ankara / Copenhagen🇹🇷 Izmir / Barcelona