New York City is called the “Greatest City on Earth” because it has some of the best things life offers, including history, employment opportunities, nightlife, food, and culture.
New York has something for every taste, boasting tall skyscrapers, blaring lights, and charming neighborhoods.
When considering the City’s safest areas, you may be surprised to learn that many of the safest neighborhoods don’t have tourist attractions and the appeal New York is famous for; they are just residential sections.
If you’re considering moving to or visiting New York City, it’s essential to understand the safest neighborhoods the City has to offer.
Keep reading to learn more!
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10 Safest Neighborhoods in New York City
Ten: Long Island City, Queens
Rounding out the top 10 of the safest neighborhoods in New York City is Long Island City.
Situated on the far west side of Queens, LIC has a crime rate similar to Fresh Meadows, with most crimes being property-related and petty theft.
The best aspect of this neighborhood is that crime has dropped by 33 percent over the past two decades and continues to decrease as more companies move in and shiny new residences are constructed.
LIC offers beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline and is a rapidly growing neighborhood due to the connectivity and easy commute to the City.
Nine: City Island, Bronx
City Island is a tiny island in the northeastern portion of the Bronx within the Pelham Islands.
The overall crime rate is 25.78 per 1,000 residents, causing it to be a little higher on the list than others, but it’s a relatively safe place to live and visit in the summer.
Most of this crime rate comprises property crimes, so your chances of being the victim of a violent crime are just 1 in 128.
Although small, City Island is a popular summer destination for New York City residents.
Eight: Fresh Meadows, Queens
Fresh Meadows is a Queens neighborhood offering the ideal suburban and urban vibes.
Most of the crimes in Fresh Meadows are property crimes, making it a wonderful place to start and raise a family.
The neighborhood is also decently connected to mass transit, with train and bus options for getting into Manhattan for those who need to commute west in the morning.
Seven: Nolita, Manhattan
The neighborhood, Nolita, derives its name because it’s situated directly north of Little Italy.
While this small section doesn’t have the same Italian charm it once boasted, it’s still a great place to live in Manhattan.
One of the best aspects of this small neighborhood slice is that there are only 20 violent crimes per 1,000 residents.
Compared to many other Manhattan neighborhoods, this statistic has drawn families into the neighborhood.
Six: Murray Hill, Manhattan
Nestled between the Midtown skyscrapers and the East River, Murray Hill is the sixth safest New York City neighborhood on this list.
Over the past two decades, investment in public safety has resulted in a whopping 40 percent drop in crime, making it an excellent option for those living who wish to live on the East Side of Manhattan.
This area attracts a younger crowd of those fresh out of college because it’s an accessible area to commute downtown or walk to many Midtown companies.
Five: Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Greenwich Village is located on the west side of Manhattan and is one of the best-known neighborhoods in the City.
The neighborhood is famous for its many brownstones, cafes, restaurants, and nightlife, with many young professionals flocking to the area once the sun drops.
Over the past few years, Greenwich Village has dramatically improved its safety for visitors and residents.
The combined violent and property crime rate is 40.4 per 1,000 residents, with property crimes being the most common type.
Four: Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Brooklyn Heights is an excellent alternative growing for those looking to be close to Manhattan without paying skyrocketing prices.
This popular neighborhood is known for tree-lined streets and countless historic buildings that have helped build Brooklyn.
The area has enjoyed considerable safety improvements over the past decade, resulting in a combined violent and property crime rate of only 17.6 per 1,000 residents.
Compared to other Brooklyn neighborhoods, this is a fantastic result of safety investment.
Three: Kips Bay, Manhattan
Kips Bay is on the eastern cusp of the skyscrapers of Midtown Manhattan and attracts many young professionals who can walk to work.
The neighborhood is much smaller than it used to be.
Still, like many other formerly crime-ridden neighborhoods, the Kips Bay community has implemented crime reduction programs, which have paid dividends in safety.
Kips Bay has a slightly lower crime rate compared to Battery Park City, at 21.90 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Two: Battery Park City, Manhattan
Battery Park City is situated in the southernmost point of Manhattan near the financial district.
This neighborhood, which is considerably more affordable than the safest neighborhood on this list, boasts many green spaces, including the park it was named after, Battery Park.
The neighborhood borders the Hudson River and boasts a crime rate that’s 16 percent lower than the national average.
Given its location, many Wall Street gurus and other downtown workers live in this neighborhood.
One: Tribeca, Manhattan
Tribeca, located in the lower portion of Manhattan, is considered the safest neighborhood in New York City.
The Hudson River borders this celebrity-filled section of the Big Apple, and local officials have implemented many successful crime reduction initiatives over the past several decades.
Even in the past year, Tribeca has experienced a 10 percent drop in crime, which is considerable for such a large city like New York, where crime spillover between neighborhoods is common.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to New York City
When visiting New York City, it’s important to remember the following safety tips:
One: Ask For Help if You Need It
Many New Yorkers enjoy helping tourists since it helps give the City a better reputation.
For instance, when visitors attempt to read the subway map, they likely need directions or assistance.
Most New Yorkers will ask that individual if they need directions.
New Yorkers only appear standoffish and rude because they are in a hurry.
However, most are willing to help tourists if they ask.
Two: Be Extra Vigilant on the Subway
Never hesitate to ride the subway; it is a safe option for getting around town and beating traffic.
However, when taking any form of mass transit, keep your bags closed and valuables out of sight.
Also, don’t keep your phone or wallet in your back pocket since anyone can brush past you and lift it from your pocket.
Also, be aware of who is near you in a crowded subway car, and don’t let your guard down, even when the subway isn’t crowded.
Three: Remain in Well-Lit Areas at Night
New York City has many well-lit and busy streets, but then you turn a corner, and it’s dark and desolate.
Although it’s unlikely something bad will happen to you if you wander down this type of street, there’s no point in taking the chance.
Even during the day, if you wander into an empty neighborhood that appears run-down, quickly and calmly leave the area to visit a more vibrant section of town.
Four: Keep Valuables Tucked Away
Keeping your valuables tucked away and bags closed is true for every City on earth.
It’s second nature for New York City locals, regardless of their previous incident.
Many visiting New York are from towns or cities where there’s no need to worry about this issue, but it’s crucial in this City.
Most locals alert others if their bag is unzipped, but don’t rely on this in every situation.
Also, never flash your phone around more than is necessary since mobile devices are easy to grab.
Five: Attempt to Blend in With the Locals
Most have heard this before when traveling to major cities or other countries, but it’s always worth repeating.
Locals can typically pick tourists out of a crowd, meaning criminals can do the same.
While most locals mean no harm and welcome visitors to New York City, some take advantage of the chance to scam you or pick your pockets.
To blend in, look like you know where you’re going, dress like the locals, and don’t hang your camera around your neck; keep it in a bag.
New York City Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: New York City Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Which New York City borough is the safest?
Crime statistics show that Queens is the safest of all boroughs, with an average difference of over 50 percent.
Which borough is the most dangerous?
The Bronx is the least safe of all boroughs, with a violent crime rate of over 250 percent higher than Queens.
Is it safe to walk through Times Square at night?
Given the lights, number of people, and police presence, Times Square is incredibly safe to walk around at night because violent crimes are low.
You just need to be aware of pickpockets and scammers.
