NYC absolutely did not strike me as a stinky city, other than the usual things that befoul such population density, namely diesel exhaust, food places not to my taste et al. Even the swamps and industry out near Secaucus didn't smell. And I definitely didn't encounter any noxiously unwashed persons, even in the 35C heat, though there were quite a few beggers about.
I have had smelly experiences in Tokyo, though, of the uncovered sewage variety.
Wade.