Neighborhood Comparison
Forest Hills vs Kew Gardens: Which NYC Neighborhood Is Better in 2026?
Central Queens family neighborhoods: Forest Hills' Tudor-style homes and Austin Street shopping versus Kew Gardens' leafy pre-war cooperative buildings and proximity to Forest Park.
Overall Livability Score
Winner: Tie by 0.0 points
Dimension-by-Dimension Breakdown
Each dimension scored 0-10 against the Queens borough baseline.
Financial
Winner: TieOutdoor & Green
Winner: Kew GardensCommute
Winner: TieInvestment
Winner: TieLivability (ART)
Winner: Forest HillsPractical
Winner: TieKey Stats at a Glance
| Stat | Forest Hills | Kew Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Median listing price | $0 | $0 |
| Avg price per sqft | $0 | $0 |
| Subway stations nearby | 1 | 1 |
| Avg trees within 200m | 94 | 97 |
| Nearest major park | Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center | Maple Grove Park |
| Avg days on market | 0 | 0 |
| Borough rank | #5 / 11 | #6 / 11 |
The Verdict
Forest Hills
Forest Hills scores 6.3 median (IQR: 5.9–6.7): a safe, tree-dense neighborhood with excellent walkability that trades transit convenience for stability and green cover.
Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens scores 6.3 composite—a tree-rich, service-dense neighborhood with notable commute friction and rising crime concerns.
Top Strengths
Forest Hills
- +Exceptional tree coverage and canopy density — 94 trees within 200m radius, canopy density 9.5/10—highest possible livability component for green space
- +Much safer than borough average — Safety percentile of 81% in Queens; low rodent complaints (85) reflect maintenance standards
- +Strong walkability and practical services — Practical score of 9 (vs. borough median 5.3) indicates dense access to essentials, retail, and utilities
- +Art and livability significantly above borough baseline — Art/Livability score 7.3 vs. borough median 4.8; established cultural infrastructure and institutional anchors
Kew Gardens
- +Exceptional tree canopy and green infrastructure — 97 trees within 200m radius with 9.5/10 canopy density—significantly above borough comparables
- +Strong neighborhood services and walkability — Practical score of 9/10, highest in the dataset; village center and Courthouse proximity support daily-need accessibility
- +Architectural character and visual cohesion — Tudor-style building stock and established neighborhood identity differentiate Kew Gardens from surrounding areas
- +Forest Park adjacency — Direct access to one of Queens's largest green spaces and recreational anchors
Things to Consider
Forest Hills
- −Commute performance is weak — Commute score 3.5 vs. borough median 5.5; single transit pair (M, R) limits routing flexibility
- −Crime trend is worsening — 12-month crime trend shows +140.5% increase; 902 total crimes recorded despite strong safety percentile
- −High noise complaint volume — 1,027 noise complaints flagged as high; dense mid/high-rise building mix contributes to acoustic pressure
- −Outdoor recreation score lags borough — Outdoor score 4.7 below borough median 5.0, despite parks nearby—likely reflects limited waterfront and athletic facilities relative to neighborhood size
Kew Gardens
- −Significantly longer commute times — Commute score of 3.5 vs. borough median of 5.5; E/F service is the primary transit option
- −High noise complaints — 1,398 noise complaints recorded—flagged as 'Very High' and suggesting traffic, construction, or quality-of-life friction
- −Worsening crime trend — Total crimes over 12 months: 707, with year-over-year trend up 129.5%—significant deterioration despite average safety percentile (85th)
- −Limited transit redundancy — Reliance on single E/F line creates vulnerability; no alternative subway routes serve the neighborhood directly
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forest Hills or Kew Gardens better for renters?
Based on current DwellCheck data, Forest Hills scores 6.3/10 overall and Kew Gardens scores 6.3/10. Forest Hills ranks #5 of 11 in Queens; Kew Gardens ranks #6 of 11 in Queens. "Better" depends on what you weight — see the dimension-by-dimension breakdown below for a side-by-side.
How do rents compare between Forest Hills and Kew Gardens?
Forest Hills median listing price is $0 at $0/sqft. Kew Gardens median is $0 at $0/sqft. These are listing prices from active inventory at the time of our data pull; actual rent signings can differ by 3-8% depending on season.
Which neighborhood has better transit: Forest Hills or Kew Gardens?
Forest Hills has 1 subway stations within walking distance, scoring 3.5/10 on commute. Kew Gardens has 1 stations, scoring 3.5/10. Transit score weights distance to station entrances and number of lines served, not just count.
Which is greener: Forest Hills or Kew Gardens?
Forest Hills has an average of 94 trees within 200m of each address and scores 4.7/10 on outdoor access. Kew Gardens has 97 trees within 200m and scores 5.2/10. Nearest major parks: Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center (Forest Hills) vs. Maple Grove Park (Kew Gardens).
Is Forest Hills or Kew Gardens safer?
Safety varies block-by-block within any NYC neighborhood. Check the specific address you're considering on DwellCheck for a 400m walking-radius NYPD crime analysis. Neighborhood-level averages are useful starting points but can mask individual block differences of 5x or more.
Which is better for families: Forest Hills or Kew Gardens?
Family-friendliness is a composite of the outdoor, practical, and commute dimensions plus specific factors like school quality and playground density. In our data, Forest Hills scores 9/10 practical and 4.7/10 outdoor; Kew Gardens scores 9/10 and 5.2/10 respectively. School quality data is not included in these scores — use nyc.gov/schools for that.
Should I choose Forest Hills or Kew Gardens for investment?
Forest Hills scores 5/10 on DwellCheck's investment dimension with avg days on market of 0. Kew Gardens scores 5/10 with avg days on market of 0. Investment scoring considers price appreciation potential, market velocity, and unused development rights, but past performance does not guarantee future returns.
How recent is this comparison data?
Neighborhood guide data was last generated on 2026-04-05. NYPD crime and 311 data underlying the scoring updates daily via NYC Open Data, so block-level analysis via the DwellCheck address lookup is current to within 24-48 hours. Static neighborhood averages shown here refresh monthly.
Check a Specific Address
Neighborhood averages are a starting point. Block-level safety, crime, and building health vary widely within any NYC neighborhood. Check the exact address before you sign.
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