Is Bed-Stuy Safe? Brooklyn Livability, Crime & Rent
Bed-Stuy scores 5.8 composite—a solid financial and commute play for those prioritizing transit and brownstone authenticity over walkable parks and cultural density.
Is Bed-Stuy Safe?
Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn scores 5.8/10 for overall livability, ranking #5 of 11 Brooklyn neighborhoods. Bed-Stuy scores 5.8 composite—a solid financial and commute play for those prioritizing transit and brownstone authenticity over walkable parks and cultural density.
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 Bed-Stuy address below for a block-level breakdown.
Score Overview
Vertical line = borough median. Scale: 0-10.
Neighborhood Character
You'll find Bed-Stuy defined by rows of historic brownstones with working fireplaces and original cornices, anchored by multiple G, C, A, and J train lines that keep you connected across the city. The neighborhood averages 178 trees within a 200-meter radius, though canopy density sits at 4.9/10—enough green to soften the blocks but not dense enough to feel deeply wooded. Fort Greene Park and McCarren Park bookend the area at roughly 2.3 kilometers away, requiring a deliberate trip rather than a casual walk. The restaurant scene concentrates along Myrtle and Nostrand Avenues, where you'll encounter newer spots alongside longtime institutions, creating a neighborhood that feels simultaneously rooted and shifting.
Analysis based on 55 properties scored across 30+ data points
Livability & Restoration
Tree Canopy
178 trees
Avg within 200m | Density: 4.9/10
10 additional trees per block correlates with health benefits equivalent to being 7 years younger (Kardan et al., 2015)
Park Access
Fort Greene Park
Avg 2267m away | Score: 1.7/10
Living within 300m of green space associated with 30% fewer antidepressant prescriptions (Taylor et al., 2015)
Acoustic Quality
5/10
Noise proxy score (higher = quieter)
Chronic noise above 55 dB at night associated with 8% cardiovascular mortality increase (Basner et al., 2014)
Street Character
10/10
Enclosure: 10/10
Transit & Commute
Subway Stations
Commute Score
7.3/10
Borough median: 8/10
Walk Score Proxy
10/10
Based on street geometry analysis
Financial Landscape
Median Price
$1.2M
Price per Sq Ft
$984
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
61
Market velocity signal
Multi-Family Stock
16%
2-4 family buildings
Multi-family owner-occupants build 2.4x wealth vs single-family (Herbert, 2013)
Outdoor & Green Space
Avg Tree Count
178
Within 200m radius
Canopy Density
4.9/10
Normalized canopy coverage
Park Network
- Fort Greene Park
- McCarren Park
Avg distance: 2267m
Outdoor Space Types
Practical Living
Building Types
Bedroom Distribution
Laundry Availability
Who Bed-Stuy Is For
Financially-focused buyers
Financial score of 6.9 (outpacing the borough median of 5.7) with a median price of $1.2M and solid commute accessibility via six train lines keep costs reasonable for the area relative to amenities.
Commuters with flexibility
Commute score of 7.3 gives you reliable access without peak-hour desperation; properties average 61 days on market, suggesting reasonable negotiating windows.
Real estate investors
Investment score of 6.1 and the building mix (82% condos, 16% two-family) favor those seeking either owner-occupied stability or income-generating rentals in a historically significant neighborhood.
Pros & Cons
Strengths
Strong financial value relative to Brooklyn
Financial score of 6.9 vs. borough median of 5.7; $984/sqft pricing
Abundant transit redundancy
Six distinct train lines (G, C, A, J, M, Z) across eight stations prevent single-line dependency
Historic architectural character
82% condo conversion rate reflects preservation-focused renovations of original brownstones
Trade-offs
Limited outdoor space nearby
Outdoor score of 3.5 vs. borough median of 4.6; nearest parks are 2.3km away
Weak livability and arts infrastructure
ART/Livability score of 4.6 vs. borough median of 5; institutional cultural anchors are minimal compared to adjacent neighborhoods
Below-average practical amenities
Practical score of 5.9 vs. borough median of 6.4, suggesting grocery, healthcare, or childcare options require more hunting
Score Any Address in Bed-Stuy
Get detailed livability scores based on building health, transit access, safety, noise levels, and 15+ NYC data sources.
Search an Address in Bed-StuyFrequently Asked Questions about Bed-Stuy
1Is Bed-Stuy safe?
Bed-Stuy safety varies by block. DwellCheck provides detailed safety data including NYPD crime statistics, arrest data, and 311 complaints. Check the Bed-Stuy safety page for full details.
2What is the average rent in Bed-Stuy?
Rents in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn vary significantly by building and apartment type. The median listing price is $1.2M. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses.
3How is transit access in Bed-Stuy?
Bed-Stuy has a commute score of 7.3/10. 8 subway stations serve the area: Myrtle-Willoughby Avs, Bedford-Nostrand Avs, Classon Av.
4What are the best streets in Bed-Stuy?
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 Bed-Stuy?
The median composite score is 5.8, with an interquartile range of 5.1 to 6.3 across 55 active listings. Financial (+6.9) and Commute (+7.3) categories drive strength; Outdoor (-3.5) and ART/Livability (-4.6) lag borough medians.
6Why is the Outdoor score so low?
Parks average 2,267 meters away and tree canopy density is only 4.9/10, meaning street-level greenness is sparse. You'll need to plan park trips rather than access them spontaneously.
7How long do properties typically stay on market?
61 days on average, which is standard for Brooklyn. This suggests neither a seller's market nor a buyer's market—reasonable opportunity for negotiation.
8Is Bed-Stuy more affordable than nearby neighborhoods?
At $1.2M median and $984/sqft, Bed-Stuy is priced above some outer-Brooklyn areas but competitive for its transit access and historic character. The Financial score of 6.9 (above-borough median) reflects relative value.