Average IQ in New York: Estimates & Context
Estimated Avg IQ
~101
US Ranking
#18
of 50 states
Region
Northeast
Note: No state administers IQ tests to its residents. These estimates are proxy conversions from standardized achievement scores (NAEP, SAT, ACT) — an approach popularized by McDaniel's 2006 state-IQ estimates in the journal Intelligence — combined with demographic data. Proxy conversions carry real limitations: SAT/ACT participation rates differ sharply by state and bias comparisons, and the variation within any state dwarfs the differences between states. Figures are shown rounded; decimal precision would overstate what these proxies can support. They say nothing about any individual resident.
About New York's IQ Ranking
New York's ranking reflects its dual nature: Manhattan and the NYC metro area are among the most educated places in the world, while upstate New York and parts of the outer boroughs have more modest educational profiles. New York City alone has more Ivy League-equivalent universities than most countries, but the state's massive population and wide socioeconomic range moderate the overall average.
What Shapes New York's Cognitive Profile
No state spends more per pupil, roughly twice the national average in recent years, yet New York's NAEP results land mid-pack, a cost-to-outcome ratio that school finance researchers cite constantly. The specialized high schools, Stuyvesant and Bronx Science among them, admit by a single exam and send outsized cohorts into elite universities, while the Regents examination system imposes statewide subject testing older than nearly any other American assessment. Upstate tells a different story. Rochester lost the Kodak and Xerox engineering base that once made it a patent powerhouse, and Buffalo's recovery is recent and partial, though Micron's planned megafab near Syracuse could reverse decades of technical brain drain if it proceeds on schedule. Cornell, Columbia, NYU, and Rochester anchor heavy federal research spending. Finance remains the dominant cognitive employer, with quantitative roles in Manhattan drawing mathematics talent globally. Estimated averages for Westchester and Nassau counties run far above the statewide figure, while several upstate cities run well below it.
For global context, see how the US compares in our United States IQ page and the full country rankings.
New York vs Other Northeast States
| State | Average IQ | US Rank |
|---|---|---|
| New York | ~101 | #18 |
| Massachusetts | ~104 | #1 |
| New Hampshire | ~104 | #2 |
| Vermont | ~104 | #3 |
| Connecticut | ~103 | #4 |
| Maine | ~103 | #6 |
| New Jersey | ~103 | #8 |
| Rhode Island | ~101 | #17 |
| Pennsylvania | ~101 | #20 |
| Delaware | ~100 | #24 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ in New York?
New York's estimated average IQ is 100.7, ranking #18. Manhattan and suburban Westchester/Long Island score well above average, while other areas score lower, bringing the state average near the national mean.
Why doesn't New York rank higher?
Despite having world-class universities and a financial/media hub, New York's massive population of 20 million includes wide socioeconomic diversity. NYC alone has extreme inequality between wealthy neighborhoods and impoverished communities.
How does New York compare to New Jersey?
New Jersey (102.8) outranks New York (100.7). New Jersey's more uniformly affluent suburbs contribute to a higher average, while New York's larger population includes more variation.
Explore Other States
Take our free IQ test to see how you compare, or learn what IQ actually measures.
MyIQScores Editorial Team
Editorial team focused on cognitive testing & psychometrics research
Last updated
May 10, 2026
MyIQScores content is written and maintained by our editorial team using published research in cognitive psychology and psychometrics as its source base. We label estimates as estimates, link primary sources where available, correct errors when readers flag them, and update pages as research or feedback warrants — see our corrections policy.