Urban outdoor furniture can hold up well against snow and road salt, but it really depends on the materials and how the pieces are maintained. Snow itself is usually manageable if benches, tables, and planters are designed with good drainage and enough strength for snow load. The bigger long-term enemy is road salt. In cities, plows push salty slush against furniture, and chloride-laden water sits in joints, scratches, and crevices. That is where cheap mild steel starts to rust, untreated wood begins to swell and crack, and painted coatings fail.
The materials that perform best are aluminum, stainless steel, HDPE, sealed teak or other rot-resistant hardwood, and high-quality concrete with sealed hardware. Powder-coated steel can work, but only if the coating is thick and intact; once it chips, salt gets a foothold. Galvanized steel is a better budget option than bare steel, and marine-grade stainless steel is worth the cost in harsh winter cities. Aluminum resists rust, though it can pit if salt sits on it for long periods. HDPE is excellent around salt and moisture because it does not rot or corrode. Wood needs proper sealing and periodic refinishing to survive freeze-thaw cycles.
Design details matter as much as material. Furniture should drain freely, avoid pockets where water and salt collect, and use stainless or coated fasteners. Legs should be elevated slightly or set on feet so they are not sitting in salty puddles. Loose parts and welds need to handle freeze-thaw movement without loosening. Covers help during heavy snow and salt-spray season, but they must be breathable and securely tied; a trapped layer of moisture can be worse than no cover at all. A simple seasonal rinse with fresh water and mild soap removes salt buildup before it does damage.
So the honest answer is that urban outdoor furniture holds up reasonably well when it is specified for winter conditions and given basic care. Cheap steel, untreated wood, and poor drainage will fail fast. Well-chosen aluminum, stainless steel, HDPE, sealed hardwood, and concrete can last for years in snowy, salty streets, especially when cities plan for drainage, rinsing, and occasional hardware checks.