Manhattan is NOT all of NYC!!
Middle class in NYC live in Brooklyn, Bronx or Queens while the wealthy live in Manhattan.
Other Cities have similar wealthy,middle class and poor neighborhoods.LA has Hollywood, DC has Potomac, Austin has West Lake... NYC is no different.
Supply and Demand along with pricing of housing dictates where most folks will reside regardless of city.
That said, and as a born and raised New Yorker now in Texas, You could not pay me enough to live with those SOB’s in Manhattan. Give me Texas anyday...
NEW YORK CITY??? Getarope!.. Just kidding!