How Safe Is New York City in 2026? Crime Rates & Safety Score

New York City in 2025 presents a mixed safety picture. While violent crimes like murders and shootings have dropped to record lows, overall crime remains above pre-pandemic levels, with felony assaults and property crimes still a concern. Safety varies significantly by borough and neighborhood, with Staten Island and areas like Battery Park City and North Sutton leading as safer options, while the Bronx and specific areas in Brooklyn face higher crime rates. Public perception of safety has declined, with only 42% of residents rating their neighborhood safety as good or excellent.

For visitors, transit crime has decreased, but nighttime subway safety remains a concern. Investors see potential in areas attracting young professionals, but challenges persist in neighborhoods with elevated crime rates. Whether you're relocating, visiting, or investing, understanding neighborhood-level safety is crucial.

Key Points:

• Violent Crime: Murders and shootings at historic lows; assaults remain high.
• Overall Crime: 18-year high in total crime, driven by non-violent offenses.
• Neighborhood Safety: Staten Island and Manhattan safer; South Bronx and Brownsville remain high-risk.
• Public Perception: Only 22% feel safe on the subway at night.
• Investment Trends: Real estate interest grows despite safety concerns.

NYC's safety in 2025 is improving in some areas but still faces challenges, making informed decisions based on specific data essential.

2025 Crime Trends in New York City

Violent and Property Crime Rates

In 2025, New York City witnessed mixed crime trends. Over the first eleven months, major felony crimes like murders and shootings dropped sharply. Queens and Staten Island, for instance, reported zero murders in November, helping the city achieve a record-low murder count. However, felony assaults remain a pressing issue, with numbers climbing significantly compared to 2019.

While murders and shootings have decreased, most other felony categories still exceed their 2019 levels. Adding to the complexity, overall crime - including misdemeanors - has reached an 18-year high. The redefinition of rape, updated in September 2024, has made year-over-year comparisons more challenging.

Crime Patterns by Borough

Crime trends vary widely across the boroughs. Brooklyn reports the highest total incidents, while the Bronx has the highest violent crime rates per capita. Gun violence is heavily concentrated in areas like the South Bronx, Brownsville, and East Harlem, which together account for about half of the city’s shooting incidents. Manhattan’s busiest districts see the bulk of tourism-related crime, whereas Queens and Staten Island maintain relatively low crime rates overall.

The table below provides a snapshot of these trends:

Crime Statistics Comparison Table

Crime Category	2019 Rate	2025 Rate	Change Since 2019
Murder	Higher	Record Low	↓ Significant
Shootings	Baseline	Near-Historic Low	↓ Notable
Felony Assault	Baseline	Elevated	↑ Substantial
Overall Crime Count	Lower	18-Year High	↑ Significant

NYC sees record-low number of shootings in 2025

Neighborhood Safety and Borough Comparisons

This section dives into the differences in safety across New York City's neighborhoods and boroughs, highlighting trends and factors influencing these variations.

Safer and Higher-Risk Areas

Safety in New York City can differ dramatically depending on the neighborhood. Battery Park City stands out as one of the safest areas in 2025, with a violent crime rate of only 1.7 per 1,000 residents and an overall crime rate 16% below the city average. Even better, the North Sutton Area boasts just 1.3 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, making it 52% safer than the NYC average.

Other areas like Central Park and Downtown Manhattan also perform well, each reporting violent crime rates of 2.7 per 1,000 residents. Their overall crime rates are significantly lower than the city average - 60% and 44% less, respectively. In Queens, Astoria is notable for its safe streets and livable atmosphere, while Brooklyn's Williamsburg maintains a reputation for security. The Upper West Side remains a favorite for families due to its proximity to Central Park and its strong safety record.

On a borough-wide level, Staten Island continues to lead as the safest borough, thanks to its suburban feel and consistently low crime rates. These safety differences underscore the impact of local factors and economic conditions, which are explored further below.

What Affects Neighborhood Safety

Safety disparities between neighborhoods go beyond crime statistics, with socioeconomic factors playing a key role. Residents of the Bronx, for instance, report the lowest levels of satisfaction with public safety and overall quality of life in their neighborhoods. Across the city, only 42% of New Yorkers rated their neighborhood's public safety as excellent or good in 2025.

Borough Safety Comparison Table

The following table outlines key safety statistics and trends across the boroughs:

Borough	Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000)	Property Crime Pattern	2025 Trend	Notable Characteristics
Staten Island	Lowest	Low	Stable	Safest borough; suburban atmosphere
Manhattan	5.7	Varies by district	Mixed	Tourism areas see higher property crime
Queens	Below average	Moderate	Improving	Astoria and other neighborhoods show strong safety
Brooklyn	6.48	Highest total incidents	Mixed	Significant variation between neighborhoods
Bronx	Highest per capita	Elevated	Concerning	Lowest resident satisfaction with safety

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NYC's AI Safety Score Explained

How the AI Safety Score Works

AdensZip uses a mix of data sources - like crime statistics, historical patterns, and contextual factors such as population density and public sentiment - to come up with a comprehensive safety score. While official crime reports provide a starting point, they don't tell the whole story. Elements like street lighting, sidewalk conditions, emergency response access, and even school quality also play a role in how safe people feel in their neighborhoods.

The accuracy of this safety score hinges on the reliability of its inputs. For instance, crime stats can be skewed by changes in police enforcement, how often people report crimes, and even how crimes are defined over time. These variables make it tricky for the AI to separate actual crime trends from shifts in reporting practices. Despite these challenges, this layered approach offers a more complete picture of safety in NYC.

NYC's Overall Score and Sub-Scores

New York City's 2025 safety data reveals some interesting contrasts when breaking it down by offense type. While the city tracks seven major felonies, focusing solely on these doesn’t capture the full scope of everyday safety. For example, in 2024, there were 332 misdemeanor assault complaints for every single murder, and 13.4 petit larcenies for every robbery. These more frequent, less severe incidents often shape how residents view their daily safety and heavily influence overall assessments.

On a national level, robberies dropped by 8.9% in 2024 compared to 2023, and by almost 50% since 2005, according to FBI data. However, the 2025 SafeWise State of Safety in America report found that 54% of respondents still believed they were at risk of experiencing property crime. This disconnect between actual crime stats and personal fears highlights why both hard data and public perception matter when evaluating safety.

AI Safety Score Methodology Table

The table below outlines the main inputs used to calculate the AI Safety Score, along with the challenges tied to each.

Input Category	Data Sources	Key Considerations	Limitations
Crime Rates	NYPD CompStat, FBI reports	Includes felonies, misdemeanors, violations	Preliminary data subject to revision
Historical Trends	Year-over-year comparisons	Seasonal patterns, long-term changes	Crime prediction often involves uncertainty
Reporting Factors	Citizen reports, enforcement data	Influenced by definitions and police practices	Many crimes go unreported
Contextual Indicators	Population density, public surveys	Quality of life and resident satisfaction	Subjective and varies by individual
Environmental Factors	Infrastructure data	Includes lighting, sidewalks, emergency access	Often excluded from crime stats

What NYC's Safety Trends Mean for Relocation, Travel, and Investment

This section dives into how NYC's recent safety dynamics impact decisions about relocating, visiting, and investing, based on crime trends and AI safety scores.

Relocation and Housing Decisions

Safety plays a huge role in where people choose to live. In 2025, 73% of residents cited safety as a primary reason for considering a move out of NYC, second only to affordability at 76%. Public safety ratings have also taken a hit, with only 42% of New Yorkers rating safety in their neighborhoods as excellent or good - down from 50% in 2017. The Bronx has been particularly affected, consistently showing the lowest satisfaction with safety across the city.

For families, NYC presents unique challenges. By 2025, many families have opted for suburban areas that offer more space, lower costs, and an overall better quality of life. The percentage of residents who feel safe walking alone at night in their neighborhoods has dropped from 70% in 2017 to just 59% in 2025. If you're considering a move, focus on neighborhoods with family-friendly amenities and safer outdoor spaces. Areas like Brooklyn, Queens, or nearby New Jersey suburbs provide more room without sacrificing access to NYC's opportunities.

Interestingly, Manhattan is seeing a population boost among young professionals and high-income earners. Those earning $100,000 or more annually are more likely to move to NYC than leave it. This shift positions the city as a hub for young, career-focused individuals, with the tech sector driving much of this influx. These changing demographics also influence how public spaces are experienced by residents and visitors alike.

Travel Safety for Visitors

For tourists, NYC in 2025 offers some encouraging safety improvements. November 2025 recorded the lowest number of murders in the city's history, tying with November 2018 at just 16 murders. Additionally, the city saw the fewest shooting incidents and victims for the first 11 months of the year. Transit crime also dropped significantly, with a 24.8% reduction in November 2025 compared to the previous year, making public transportation safer for visitors.

However, public perception still lags behind these improvements. Subway safety ratings remain troubling - only 50% of New Yorkers feel safe during the day, and just 22% feel safe at night, marking a sharp decline from 2017 levels. For short-term visitors, it's wise to stick to well-traveled routes during daylight hours, stay aware of your surroundings, and research neighborhood-specific safety trends before booking accommodations. Generally, Manhattan and some Brooklyn neighborhoods offer safer options compared to higher-risk areas.

Investment and Development Outlook

Safety concerns don't just affect residents - they also shape investor confidence. Despite mixed crime trends, new real estate contract signings rose 5.8% year-over-year in May 2025. This suggests that investors remain optimistic about the city's long-term recovery, especially in neighborhoods attracting young professionals.

That said, challenges persist. While murders and shootings are at record lows, most major felonies (excluding murder) are still significantly above pre-pandemic levels. For example, felony assault rates were 47% higher in 2024 compared to 2017 and remained unchanged through mid-2025. NYC's recovery from pandemic-era crime spikes continues to lag behind other major U.S. cities. Developers and investors should focus on areas showing improving safety trends and demographic growth while being cautious about neighborhoods with high property crime and assault rates, which could impact long-term value.

NYC Safety Pros and Cons Table

Factor	Advantages	Challenges	Practical Implications
Violent Crime	Record-low murders (16 in Nov 2025) and shootings	Felony assaults 47% higher than in 2017	Visitors face lower extreme violence risk; residents contend with elevated assault rates
Public Perception	Strong real estate buyer confidence	73% of residents cite safety as a reason to leave	Investment opportunities exist, but tenant retention may be harder to achieve
Transit Safety	Transit crime down 24.8% year-over-year	Only 22% feel safe on the subway at night	Daytime travel is safer, but nighttime commutes remain a concern
Demographics	Attracting high-income earners ($100K+)	Net loss of 177,800 residents in 2022	Luxury housing markets thrive; family-oriented developments face challenges
Borough Variation	Manhattan experiencing population growth	Bronx residents report the lowest safety satisfaction	Location-specific research is key for all decisions

Conclusion: NYC Safety in 2025 at a Glance

The safety landscape of New York City in 2025 shows promising signs of progress. In November 2025, the city reported just 16 murders, and the first 11 months of the year saw the lowest number of shooting incidents and victims, marking a clear decline in violent crime. Transit crime also dropped by 24.8%, while retail theft saw a reduction of over 20%. These numbers highlight a positive shift in overall safety.

However, a closer look at the data reveals ongoing challenges. While murders and shootings have decreased significantly - down 34% and 54% respectively since 2021 - most major felonies, apart from murder, remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, borough-level disparities paint a more nuanced picture. For instance, Queens and Staten Island reported no murders in November 2025, yet areas like the South Bronx and Brownsville continue to grapple with concentrated gun violence.

For those making decisions about living, visiting, or investing in NYC, understanding safety at the neighborhood level is essential. AdensZip’s data-driven insights go beyond broad city-wide statistics, offering a detailed look at neighborhood safety trends, crime patterns, and livability scores. This granular perspective provides a clearer, more accurate view of NYC’s safety in 2025.

FAQs

How does the actual safety of NYC in 2025 compare to how safe people feel it is?

In 2025, New York City stands out as safer than it has been in years, and the numbers back it up. Crime data highlights some impressive progress, including a 20% reduction in shootings and a 19% decline in shooting victims compared to previous years. Violent crimes, such as homicides and major transit-related offenses, are at or hovering near historic lows.

That said, there are still areas that need attention. Incidents of felony assaults, domestic violence, and certain property crimes remain higher than they were before the pandemic, which continues to affect how safe some people feel. Despite these challenges, NYC in 2025 reflects a notable improvement in safety, with public perceptions aligning well with the encouraging crime statistics.

What are the safest and most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City in 2025?

In 2025, some of New York City's safest neighborhoods can be found in parts of Queens and Staten Island. These areas boast long stretches without homicides and maintain consistently low violent crime rates. Their quieter, more residential character plays a big role in creating a safer environment for those who live there.

Meanwhile, certain parts of the Bronx continue to rank among the most dangerous, with elevated levels of violent crimes like assaults and shootings. Additionally, high-traffic spots, such as busy transit hubs, often see more incidents. Staying aware of local crime trends and using extra caution in these areas is a smart move for both residents and visitors.

What influences the differences in safety across NYC's boroughs?

Safety across New York City's boroughs is shaped by a mix of factors. Key elements include the presence and strategies of law enforcement, the success of gang prevention and intervention programs, and the extent of community participation in public safety efforts. Additionally, crime reduction programs designed for specific neighborhoods play a crucial role in influencing how safe an area feels.

The unique characteristics of each borough - like its demographics, economic conditions, and local challenges - also affect safety levels. These differences mean that some neighborhoods may feel more secure than others. Understanding these dynamics can help both residents and visitors make better choices about where to live, work, or spend time in the city.