Is University Heights Safe? Bronx Livability, Crime & Rent
University Heights is a tree-dense, practically well-serviced neighborhood with real park access, but severely limited transit and rising crime activity constrain its appeal—composite score 5.4/10.
Is University Heights Safe?
University Heights, Bronx scores 5.4/10 for overall livability, ranking #10 of 10 Bronx neighborhoods. University Heights is a tree-dense, practically well-serviced neighborhood with real park access, but severely limited transit and rising crime activity constrain its appeal—composite score 5.4/10.
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 University Heights address below for a block-level breakdown.
Score Overview
Vertical line = borough median. Scale: 0-10.
Neighborhood Character
University Heights sits on elevated terrain with dense tree coverage—you'll find an average of 56 trees within a 200-meter radius and canopy density rated 9.5/10, creating a leafy, residential feel distinct from denser Bronx neighborhoods. The area is anchored by green space: St. James Park, Devoe Park, University Woods, and the Aqueduct Walk are all within a five-minute walk, offering genuine outdoor access. The built environment is split evenly between walk-ups and mid-rise buildings, creating a mixed-scale streetscape. However, you'll immediately notice the transit reality—the neighborhood scores a 1/10 for commute, reflecting severely limited direct transit options, which shapes daily life here significantly.
Analysis based on 12 properties scored across 30+ data points
Livability & Restoration
Tree Canopy
56 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
St. James Park
Avg 240m away | Score: 2.6/10
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
No transit data available
Commute Score
1/10
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
56
Within 200m radius
Canopy Density
9.5/10
Normalized canopy coverage
Park Network
- St. James Park
- Devoe Park
- Aqueduct Walk
- Fordham Landing Playground
- University Woods
Avg distance: 240m
Practical Living
Building Types
Who University Heights Is For
Car-dependent professionals
Commute score of 1/10 makes this viable only for those with personal vehicles or flexible work arrangements; transit access is not a strength here
Outdoor-focused residents
Outdoor score of 5.2 paired with 56 trees per 200m and five nearby parks makes this attractive for those prioritizing green space and walkable nature access
Practical-minded renters
Practical score of 9/10 (well above borough median of 4) indicates strong neighborhood essentials and services; affordable rents support value-oriented households
Pros & Cons
Strengths
Exceptional tree canopy and park access
56 trees within 200m, 9.5/10 canopy density, five parks averaging 240m away
Strong practical amenities and services
Practical score of 9/10, nearly double the borough median of 4
Stable, mixed building stock
Even split between walk-ups and mid-rises creates architectural diversity; 12 tracked buildings show development activity
Trade-offs
Severely limited public transit
Commute score of 1/10 reflects minimal transit options; this is the neighborhood's critical weakness
High noise and crime activity
6,055 noise complaints (very high), 2,816 crimes in 12 months, crime trend worsening by 182.2%
Below-borough financial metrics
Financial score of 5/10 vs. borough median of 6.5; investment score neutral at 5/10
Score Any Address in University Heights
Get detailed livability scores based on building health, transit access, safety, noise levels, and 15+ NYC data sources.
Search an Address in University HeightsFrequently Asked Questions about University Heights
1Is University Heights safe?
University Heights safety varies by block. DwellCheck provides detailed safety data including NYPD crime statistics, arrest data, and 311 complaints. Check the University Heights safety page for full details.
2What is the average rent in University Heights?
Rents in University Heights, 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 University Heights?
University Heights has a commute score of 1/10. 0 subway stations serve the area: .
4What are the best streets in University Heights?
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 University Heights?
The median composite score is 5.4/10 (interquartile range: 5–5.8). This is driven down by a 1/10 commute score (limited transit) and below-median financial metrics (5/10), but lifted by an exceptional practical score of 9/10.
6How safe is University Heights?
The neighborhood ranks at the 63rd percentile for safety within the Bronx (high-activity category), meaning moderate-to-elevated crime relative to other Bronx neighborhoods. Total crimes in the last 12 months: 2,816. Critically, crime has worsened by 182.2% year-over-year.
7What transit options serve University Heights?
Transit access is severely limited, reflected in the 1/10 commute score (vs. borough median 5/10). You'll need to verify current service via MTA schedules; car-dependency is high here.
8What green space is available?
You'll find five parks within ~240m on average: St. James Park, Devoe Park, Aqueduct Walk, Fordham Landing Playground, and University Woods. Tree density is exceptionally high: 56 trees per 200m radius and 9.5/10 canopy coverage.