Is Pelham Bay Safe? Bronx Livability, Crime & Rent
Pelham Bay scores 6.1 median—a green, transit-connected neighborhood with strong park access and practical services, but elevated noise and worsening crime temper the appeal.
Is Pelham Bay Safe?
Pelham Bay, Bronx scores 6.1/10 for overall livability, ranking #8 of 10 Bronx neighborhoods. Pelham Bay scores 6.1 median—a green, transit-connected neighborhood with strong park access and practical services, but elevated noise and worsening crime temper the appeal.
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 Pelham Bay address below for a block-level breakdown.
Score Overview
Vertical line = borough median. Scale: 0-10.
Neighborhood Character
You'll find Pelham Bay as a tree-dense residential pocket in the northeast Bronx, anchored by proximity to Pelham Bay Park and Orchard Beach. The neighborhood averages 108 trees within a 200-meter radius with a canopy density of 9.5/10—among the greenest blocks you'll encounter. Street-level, you're looking at a mid-rise dominated area (66% of tracked buildings), mixed with walk-ups (23%) and a few high-rises (11%), creating an uneven but lived-in residential texture. Three subway lines service the area (6 train at St Lawrence Av, Morrison Av-Soundview, and Elder Av), though parks like Watson Gleason and Noble Playground sit an average 548 meters away—walkable but not immediate.
Analysis based on 206 properties scored across 30+ data points
Livability & Restoration
Tree Canopy
108 trees
Avg within 200m | Density: 9.5/10
10 additional trees per block correlates with health benefits equivalent to being 7 years younger (Kardan et al., 2015)
Park Access
Watson Gleason Playground
Avg 548m away | Score: 2.5/10
Living within 300m of green space associated with 30% fewer antidepressant prescriptions (Taylor et al., 2015)
Acoustic Quality
10/10
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
5/10
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
108
Within 200m radius
Canopy Density
9.5/10
Normalized canopy coverage
Park Network
- Watson Gleason Playground
- Noble Playground
- Colgate Close
- Taylor Playground
- Captain William Harry Thompson Playground
Avg distance: 548m
Practical Living
Building Types
Who Pelham Bay Is For
Nature-focused residents
Practical score of 9 (versus borough median 4) reflects proximity to parks and green space; canopy density of 9.5/10 is exceptional for the Bronx.
Transit-dependent commuters
Commute score of 5 (borough median 5) means reliable but not premium transit access; three 6 train stops provide steady service.
Budget-conscious renters/buyers
Financial and Investment scores neutral (5.0) due to unavailable pricing data, but lack of hype suggests lower-pressure market relative to tighter Bronx neighborhoods.
Pros & Cons
Strengths
Exceptional tree canopy and park access
108 trees within 200m radius; canopy density 9.5/10; Pelham Bay Park and Orchard Beach adjacent; multiple playgrounds under 600m away.
Solid practical livability score
Practical score of 9—highest in this dataset—reflecting reliable local services and amenities despite modest transit and financial scores.
Stable multi-family residential building stock
206 tracked buildings, 66% mid-rise (stable backbone), 23% walk-up (character), 11% high-rise; mix supports diverse unit types.
Trade-offs
High noise complaints
6,867 noise complaints recorded—very high relative to borough activity—suggests congested or disruptive conditions despite residential branding.
Worsening crime trend
Crime increased 194.4% over 12 months; total crimes 3,960; safety percentile 48% (middle of borough range), but trajectory is concerning.
Below-average outdoor and art/livability scores
Outdoor score 4.9 (borough median 5.5); Art/Livability score 4.8 (borough median 4.5)—limited cultural amenities and recreational diversity beyond parks.
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Search an Address in Pelham BayFrequently Asked Questions about Pelham Bay
1Is Pelham Bay safe?
Pelham Bay safety varies by block. DwellCheck provides detailed safety data including NYPD crime statistics, arrest data, and 311 complaints. Check the Pelham Bay safety page for full details.
2What is the average rent in Pelham Bay?
Rents in Pelham Bay, 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 Pelham Bay?
Pelham Bay has a commute score of 5/10. 3 subway stations serve the area: St Lawrence Av, Morrison Av-Soundview, Elder Av.
4What are the best streets in Pelham Bay?
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 Pelham Bay?
Median composite score is 6.1 (interquartile range 5.7–6.5). High practical score (9) drives appeal for nature and services; weaker financial (5), art/livability (4.8), and outdoor (4.9) scores reflect limited cultural amenities and investment activity.
6How accessible is public transit?
Commute score is 5 (borough median 5). Three 6 train stations serve the area: St Lawrence Av, Morrison Av-Soundview, and Elder Av. Reliable but not premium frequency or destination diversity.
7What's the safety situation?
Safety percentile is 48% (middle of borough). Total crimes 3,960 over 12 months; noise complaints 6,867 (very high). Crime is worsening, up 194.4% year-over-year—a red flag for prospective residents.
8Is there green space nearby?
Yes—exceptionally so. Average tree density is 108 within 200m; canopy density 9.5/10. Pelham Bay Park and Orchard Beach are adjacent; five playgrounds average 548m away. Practical score of 9 reflects this asset.