Are you getting more sleep than the average New Yorker? Which municipalities catch the most Zs

In the city that never sleeps, some boroughs are actually less closed off than others.

Although experts consistently recommend getting seven to nine hours a night, a new study from sleep technology firm Simba found that New York is falling short, reporting an average of six hours and 36 minutes a night — and there’s a 24-minute difference between well rested municipality at least.

While current data on US sleep patterns is limited, a 2024 Gallup poll found that 57% of Americans said they need more sleep.

Only a quarter reported getting eight hours or more, while 20% admitted they were getting five hours or less. Just over half said they worked six to seven hours a night — better, but still largely below what doctors recommend.

Too little sleep is associated with a number of health problems, including impaired cognitive function, high blood pressure, heart and kidney problems, and depression. It can also cause increased inflammation, which can lead to several different types of chronic health conditions and diseases.

But the good news for New Yorkers is that they seem to be doing better than the country overall: More than half in four of the five boroughs are getting at least seven hours.

Worst sleepover: Staten Island

Getting as little sleep as possible—and as few people as possible getting the recommended seven hours or more—is often the most extraordinary Staten Island.

Staten Islanders reported an average of six hours and 18 minutes of sleep per night, and in a true nightmare scenario, 58% said they slept less than seven hours.

Linked in the middle: The Bronx and Brooklyn

People in Brooklyn and the Bronx are a little better at keeping their beauty sleep, napping for six hours and 30 minutes each night.

But 48% of Brooklyn residents don’t get seven hours, while 49% in the Bronx aren’t reaching that number.

Sleeping like a baby: Manhattan and Queens

The last two boroughs are tied for the most night’s sleep with an average of six hours and 42 minutes each.

But Manhattan seems to be the most rested of all: While 46% of Queens respondents said they get under seven hours of sleep, only 42% of Manhattanites said the same.

And nearly a third of people in Manhattan are said to be outside for eight hours or more.

Is it worse than London, back home?

The new survey also pitted New York against London, finding that residents of cities across the pond are also catching more Z. Compared to New Yorkers’ average of 6 hours and 36 minutes of sleep per night, Londoners get six hours and 48 minutes.

One factor may be street noise: 19% of New Yorkers said outside noise was a problem, compared to 13% of Londoners.

People in both cities reported stressors related to their health, work and families.

A better time to sleep: 3 Rs

“Getting a good night’s sleep is key to our physical and emotional health,” said Lisa Artis, Deputy CEO of Simba’s charity partner, The Sleep Charity. “Research has shown that lack of sleep can increase the risk of diseases such as heart disease, obesity and stroke, as well as increase our levels of anxiety and stress.”

Artis offered three Rs for better sleep: quiet environment, regular hours and routine.

If you can consistently try to stay within an hour of the same bedtime and the same wakeup time, it helps keep that body clock on track.

Lisa Artis, Deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity

Lisa Artis, Deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity

“I think the first thing everyone can do right away is take a look at their bedroom and ask themselves, ‘Is it restful for sleep?’ Is it cool, quiet, dark and clutter-free?’” she said.

“Even though you sleep with your eyes closed, you don’t want the last thing you see before going to bed to be a mess. Light also increases your production of melatonin, which stops you from feeling sleepy, so make your room as dark as possible,” she added, also noting that a cool temperature makes a difference.

Getting up and going to bed at the same time each day can also help.

“It programs the mind and body to sleep better. It’s not always easy, especially with shift work, so it’s about finding what works for you. But where you can, if you can try to consistently stay within an hour of the same sleep time and the same wake time, that helps keep that body clock on track,” she continued.

Finally, have a soothing bedtime routine to unwind.

“Take 30 minutes to an hour to help yourself de-stress and forget about the day, forget about work and switch off,” she said. “Set that limit for yourself and turn off your phones and devices and find something you enjoy doing that will relax you, like take a bath or read a book, so you’re in the right frame of mind for asleep.”