New York · Month comparison
October vs September
October ranks #1 overall vs September at #2. New York in autumn is genuinely unrivalled — crisp air, spectacular foliage, and the city at full creative energy.
October
#1 of 12 months
Best match
New York in autumn is genuinely unrivalled — crisp air, spectacular foliage, and the city at full creative energy.
- ↑Central Park foliage peak (late October): reds, oranges, and golds that rival New England
- ↑New York Film Festival brings major world-cinema premieres and street energy
September
#2 of 12 months
Best match
The city re-energises after summer — cultural season opens, temperatures perfect.
- ↑New York Fashion Week (early September): the most internationally significant — celebrity and street style at their peak
- ↑US Open finals (early September): ticket availability improves
| Factor | October | September |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 9 | 8 |
| Value score | 5 | 5 |
| Crowd score | 4 | 5 |
| Events score | 7 | 8 |
| Atmosphere | 9 | 8 |
| Avg high temp | 18.5°C | 23.9°C |
| Monthly rain | 78mm | 90mm |
| Daily sunshine | 7hrs | 7.5hrs |
October trade-offs
- ↓October's growing reputation has pushed prices well above the shoulder it once was
- ↓Leaf-peeping crowds mean Central Park weekend paths genuinely busy
- ↓Rain still occasional: 78mm average, though generally manageable
September trade-offs
- ↓Still expensive from tourist season tail; prices begin dropping mid-month
- ↓Fashion Week dramatically increases hotel prices for its duration
- ↓Rain remains common: 90mm average, thunderstorms possible
Scores compare months within New York. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →