New York, NY Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About New York City Crime

Is New York City safe in 2026?

Based on an analysis of 42 neighborhoods across New York City, the city earns an overall city-wide safety rating of B (Safe). A striking 81% of neighborhoods fall into the safe category, receiving grades of A or B. In fact, 45.2% of neighborhoods — 19 out of 42 — earned a Grade A, while another 35.7% (15 neighborhoods) received a Grade B. Only one neighborhood out of 42 received a Grade D, and none received an F. Standout safe areas include Randalls and Wards Island and Governors Island (both A+), as well as TriBeCa, Upper East Side, and Greenwich Village, all graded A. While neighborhoods like Little Italy (D+) and Central Harlem (C) warrant more caution, the data shows that the vast majority of NYC is quite livable and safe.

What is the crime rate in New York City?

New York City carries an overall crime grade of C- at the city level, which reflects the scale and density of a metro area with over 18.6 million residents and a population density of 10,768 people per square mile. However, when you zoom into individual neighborhoods, the picture improves considerably. 45.2% of analyzed neighborhoods earned an A grade, and another 35.7% earned a B — meaning more than 8 in 10 neighborhoods are classified as safe. Only 2.4% of neighborhoods (1 out of 42) received a D grade, and no neighborhood received an F. Areas like Chinatown and Two Bridges sit at a C grade, indicating moderate concern, while neighborhoods such as Midtown East and Peter Cooper Village consistently rank among the safest. The neighborhood-level data paints a more nuanced and often more reassuring picture than city-wide averages alone.

What are the safest neighborhoods in New York City?

The two top-rated neighborhoods in New York City are Randalls and Wards Island and Governors Island, both earning an A+ grade — the highest possible safety rating. Among larger, more populated neighborhoods, the safest include:

• Upper East Side (Grade A) — population 210,360, median income $152,163
• TriBeCa (Grade A) — population 18,540, median income $239,836 (highest in the dataset)
• Greenwich Village (Grade A) — population 60,989, median income $141,963
• Midtown East (Grade A) — population 59,492, median income $152,466
• NoHo (Grade A) — population 5,670, median income $156,833
• Hudson Square / West SoHo (Grade A) — median income $110,231
• Peter Cooper Village (Grade A) — population 4,558, median income $137,499

Collectively, 19 neighborhoods (45.2% of all analyzed areas) achieved an A grade, giving residents and visitors a wide range of safe options across the city.

Which neighborhoods in New York City have higher crime?

Out of 42 neighborhoods analyzed, only 8 neighborhoods (about 19%) received grades of C or below. The one neighborhood rated D+ is Little Italy, making it the highest-concern area in the dataset. Seven neighborhoods received a C grade, including Manhattanville, Central Harlem, Chinatown, and Two Bridges. A C grade indicates a moderate level of concern — not the worst, but worth extra awareness. Importantly, no neighborhood in NYC received an F grade, which is a meaningful indicator that even the city's more challenging areas do not represent extreme outliers. The combined D+F rate is just 2.4% across all analyzed neighborhoods.

Is New York City a good place to live?

For many people, yes — New York City offers an unmatched combination of opportunity, culture, and diversity. With a population of over 18.6 million and a median household income of $67,046, the city supports a wide range of lifestyles. The median home value is $634,536 and the median rent is $1,489, reflecting a competitive but varied housing market. The unemployment rate of 6.6% and a poverty rate of 17.3% highlight real economic challenges, but neighborhoods like TriBeCa (median income $239,836) and Upper East Side (median income $152,163) demonstrate the city's significant economic range. From a safety standpoint, 81% of analyzed neighborhoods are graded A or B, meaning most residents live in areas considered safe. Whether you prioritize safety, income potential, or cultural amenities, New York City's neighborhood-level data suggests there is likely a pocket of the city that fits your needs.