New York vs Washington DC

New York and Washington DC are closely matched in May. Neither city has a clear advantage across all metrics. Your decision should come down to personal preference, cultural interests, and travel logistics rather than weather alone.

New York sits in the comfortable travel range at 21°C. Washington DC is also comfortable at 23°C.

For travelers who prioritize dry weather, Washington DC is the stronger choice in May. New York receives 3 more hours of sunshine per day, which matters for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

New York reaches an average high of 21°C (70°F) and drops to 11°C (52°F) at night during May. The daily temperature range is 10°C, meaning moderate variation throughout the day.

Washington DC averages 23°C (73°F) for the high and 15°C (59°F) for the low, with a daily range of 8°C. The 2°C difference is noticeable but not dramatic.

Both cities are in the Northern Hemisphere, so they share the same seasonal pattern in May.

New York receives approximately 87 mm of rainfall across 11 rain days during May. You can expect rain roughly every other day.

Washington DC sees 67 mm over 6 rain days. That makes Washington DC the drier option by 5 rain days and 20 mm of total precipitation.

Both cities share similar humidity levels at 65%.