Is Fordham Safe? Bronx Livability, Crime & Rent
Fordham is a transit-connected neighborhood with genuine green space and solid building infrastructure (composite 6.6), but high crime and noise make it a pragmatic rather than appealing choice.
Is Fordham Safe?
Fordham, Bronx scores 6.6/10 for overall livability, ranking #4 of 10 Bronx neighborhoods. Fordham is a transit-connected neighborhood with genuine green space and solid building infrastructure (composite 6.6), but high crime and noise make it a pragmatic rather than appealing choice.
This score aggregates live NYPD crime data, 311 safety complaints, shooting incidents, and building health signals within walking distance. Safety varies by block — check a specific Fordham address below for a block-level breakdown.
Score Overview
Vertical line = borough median. Scale: 0-10.
Neighborhood Character
Fordham sits in the central Bronx with dense mid-rise and high-rise stock—57% of tracked buildings are mid-rise, 25% high-rise—creating a compact urban footprint. You'll find yourself surrounded by trees: an average of 68 within a 200-meter radius and canopy density of 8.5/10, which softens the streetscape considerably. Parks are accessible—Vidalia Park, West Farms Rapids, West Farms Soldiers Cemetery, River Garden, and Daly Ave Garden average just 120 meters away. Three subway lines (2, 5 on Bronx Park East and E 180 St; 2, 5 again at West Farms Sq-E Tremont Av) run through, making transit practical. But you should know: the neighborhood registers 2,283 noise complaints and 1,606 crimes over 12 months, with crime trending upward at +179.8%.
Analysis based on 126 properties scored across 30+ data points
Livability & Restoration
Tree Canopy
68 trees
Avg within 200m | Density: 8.5/10
10 additional trees per block correlates with health benefits equivalent to being 7 years younger (Kardan et al., 2015)
Park Access
Vidalia Park
Avg 120m away | Score: 3/10
Living within 300m of green space associated with 30% fewer antidepressant prescriptions (Taylor et al., 2015)
Acoustic Quality
7/10
Noise proxy score (higher = quieter)
Chronic noise above 55 dB at night associated with 8% cardiovascular mortality increase (Basner et al., 2014)
Street Character
0/10
Enclosure: 0/10
Transit & Commute
Subway Stations
Commute Score
5.5/10
Borough median: 5/10
Walk Score Proxy
0/10
Based on street geometry analysis
Financial Landscape
Median Price
$0
Price per Sq Ft
$0
Price Distribution
Price by Building Type
Investment Indicators
Avg Unused FAR
0 sqft
Development rights potential
Unused development rights valued at $30-$80/sqft in Brooklyn (Glaeser, 2011)
Avg Days on Market
0
Market velocity signal
Multi-Family Stock
0%
2-4 family buildings
Multi-family owner-occupants build 2.4x wealth vs single-family (Herbert, 2013)
Outdoor & Green Space
Avg Tree Count
68
Within 200m radius
Canopy Density
8.5/10
Normalized canopy coverage
Park Network
- Vidalia Park
- West Farms Rapids
- West Farms Soldiers Cemetery
- River Garden
- Daly Ave Garden
Avg distance: 120m
Practical Living
Building Types
Who Fordham Is For
Transit-dependent commuters
Commute score of 5.5 is borough-average, but you have direct access to three subway stations within walking distance and proximity to Fordham University and Metro-North connections.
Green-space seekers on a budget
ART/Livability score of 5.8 beats the borough median of 4.5, driven by high tree density (8.5/10 canopy) and five parks within 120 meters—genuine outdoor amenities without premium pricing.
Safety-conscious renters
Safety is a significant concern: the neighborhood ranks at the 79th percentile for high-activity crime in the borough, with a worsening trend. Practical score of 9 suggests good building services and infrastructure, but not crime mitigation.
Pros & Cons
Strengths
Strong tree canopy and park proximity
68 trees average within 200m, 8.5/10 canopy density, five parks under 120m away
Reliable transit access
Three subway stations (2, 5 lines) within neighborhood; additional Metro-North connections nearby
Excellent practical infrastructure
Practical score of 9 (borough median: 4), indicating strong building services and neighborhood utilities
Trade-offs
High crime activity with worsening trend
1,606 crimes in 12 months; 79th percentile for borough high-activity; crime up 179.8% year-over-year
Severe noise complaints
2,283 noise complaints filed (Very High category)
Below-median financial and investment scores
Financial score 5.0 vs. borough median 6.5; Investment score 5.0 vs. borough median 5.0 (neutral)
Score Any Address in Fordham
Get detailed livability scores based on building health, transit access, safety, noise levels, and 15+ NYC data sources.
Search an Address in FordhamFrequently Asked Questions about Fordham
1Is Fordham safe?
Fordham safety varies by block. DwellCheck provides detailed safety data including NYPD crime statistics, arrest data, and 311 complaints. Check the Fordham safety page for full details.
2What is the average rent in Fordham?
Rents in Fordham, Bronx vary significantly by building and apartment type. The median listing price is $0. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses.
3How is transit access in Fordham?
Fordham has a commute score of 5.5/10. 3 subway stations serve the area: Bronx Park East, E 180 St, West Farms Sq-E Tremont Av.
4What are the best streets in Fordham?
The best streets depend on your priorities. Use DwellCheck to compare specific addresses across livability, safety, transit, and environmental factors.
5What is the average DwellScore in Fordham?
The median composite score is 6.6 (interquartile range 6.2–7.0). The Practical score of 9 is the neighborhood's strongest indicator; Financial (5.0) and Investment (5.0) are neutral, dragging down the overall composite.
6How safe is Fordham?
Fordham ranks at the 79th percentile for high-activity crime in the Bronx, with 1,606 crimes recorded over 12 months and a worsening trend (+179.8% year-over-year). This is a significant consideration for residents.
7What transit options are available?
You have direct access to three subway stations: Bronx Park East (2, 5 lines), E 180 St (2, 5 lines), and West Farms Sq-E Tremont Av (2, 5 lines). Metro-North connections are also accessible nearby.
8How green is the neighborhood?
Fordham has strong tree coverage: an average of 68 trees within 200 meters and a canopy density of 8.5/10. Five parks (Vidalia, West Farms Rapids, West Farms Soldiers Cemetery, River Garden, Daly Ave Garden) are within 120 meters on average, supporting an ART/Livability score of 5.8 (above the borough median of 4.5).