 This study investigates the relationship between person-specific socio-economic characteristics and the perception of extreme weather events impacts, future severity, adaptation need, and responsibility in New York City using a large online questionnaire survey. The findings suggest that previous harm is the most important factor for both heat waves and heavy rainstorms, but it does not well explain future impact perceptions. Women and the elderly perceive the community as responsible for future adaptation, while Hispanic and African American respondents see adaptation as an individual task. These results raise equity questions and can aid urban decision makers in implementing effective and just adaptation measures targeting vulnerable socio-economic groups in cosmopolitan areas. This article was authored by Diana Reckian and Elisaveta Pepekova.