Which city is older Boston or New York City?

Answer 1

They were settled at nearly the same time, but all the parts of Boston were consolidated long before all the parts of New York City were. New York City was first settled in 1624, and Boston was first settled in 1630. Boston was incorporated in 1822, and New York City was incorporated in 1898.

Answer 2

This is actually a tricky question, because although Boston is quite old, going back to the 1630s, it never became a city till 1822. The same with Philadelphia-- it got its start in 1682, but did not become a city till 1701. Baltimore was founded as a town in 1729, and did not become a city till 1796.

So, of the cities you have named, New York would probably be the oldest (1624); there are questions about when it officially became a city, but many sources use 1654, the date of the city's official seal. Actually, historians believe the oldest continuously settled city in the USA is St. Augustine, Florida, which traces its history to 1565.