StayAreasMidtown or SoHo: where should you stay in New York?
- Midtown is cheaper: a mid-range double costs about $280 a night, against $380 in SoHo.
- Midtown is closer to 5 of the 8 big sights we timed; SoHo wins on 2.
- SoHo has less street crime: around the city average, against above the city average in Midtown.
- From JFK, Midtown is quicker: 60 min against 65 min.
MidtownTimes Square, Broadway & the big sightsPick Midtown if
- First-time visitors
- Theatre-goers
- Business travellers
SoHoCast-iron lofts & shoppingPick SoHo if
- Shoppers
- Couples on a bigger budget
- Travellers who prefer downtown to Midtown
Midtown vs SoHo, side by side
The better one in each row is in green| What | Midtown | SoHo |
|---|---|---|
| What a night costs · typical double outside peak events, Sep 2026 | ||
| Budget double | $170 (better) | $230 |
| Mid-range double | $280 (better) | $380 |
| Luxury double | $650 (better) | $750 |
| Door to door · public transport or on foot, weekday morning | ||
| To Times Square | 5 min (better) | 15 min |
| Times Square | 5 min walk (better) | 26 min |
| Rockefeller Center | 12 min walk (better) | 27 min |
| Grand Central | 18 min walk (better) | 27 min |
| Empire State Building | 21 min walk (better) | 26 min |
| One World Trade Center | 30 min | 26 min walk (better) |
| The Met | 29 min (better) | 41 min |
| Arriving · weekday afternoon | ||
| From JFK | 60 min (better) | 65 min |
| What it's like · crime: NYC Open Data (NYPD); ratings ours | ||
| Street crime | Above the city average | Around the city average (better) |
| Sights on foot | Excellent (better) | Good |
| Nightlife | Good | Very good (better) |
| Quiet at night | Poor | Limited (better) |
| Food | Very good | Excellent (better) |
| Families | Good | Good |
| Transport | Excellent (better) | Very good |
Hotels in Midtown and SoHo
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Midtown or SoHo: questions
Is Midtown or SoHo better to stay in?
Midtown is cheaper: a mid-range double costs about $280 a night, against $380 in SoHo. Midtown is closer to 5 of the 8 big sights we timed; SoHo wins on 2. SoHo has less street crime: around the city average, against above the city average in Midtown. From JFK, Midtown is quicker: 60 min against 65 min. Midtown suits first-time visitors and theatre-goers; SoHo suits shoppers and couples on a bigger budget.
Which is cheaper, Midtown or SoHo?
Typical doubles in Midtown: $170 budget, $280 mid-range, $650 luxury. In SoHo: $230, $380 and $750. Rates outside peak events, updated Sep 2026.
Is Midtown or SoHo safer?
Street crime in Midtown is above the city average; in SoHo it is around the city average. Based on NYC Open Data (NYPD).
Which is closer to the sights, Midtown or SoHo?
Door to door: Times Square is 5 min walk from Midtown and 26 min from SoHo; Rockefeller Center is 12 min walk from Midtown and 27 min from SoHo; Grand Central is 18 min walk from Midtown and 27 min from SoHo; Empire State Building is 21 min walk from Midtown and 26 min from SoHo.
How far is JFK from Midtown and SoHo?
60 min to Midtown and 65 min to SoHo, door to door by public transport.