Is Brooklyn Heights Safe? Brooklyn Livability, Crime & Rent
Brooklyn Heights offers elite commute access and historic character at a median price of $770,000, but trades practical neighborhood amenities and outdoor space for Manhattan proximity.
Is Brooklyn Heights Safe?
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn scores 5.4/10 for overall livability, ranking #9 of 11 Brooklyn neighborhoods. Brooklyn Heights offers elite commute access and historic character at a median price of $770,000, but trades practical neighborhood amenities and outdoor space for Manhattan proximity.
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 Brooklyn Heights address below for a block-level breakdown.
Score Overview
Vertical line = borough median. Scale: 0-10.
Neighborhood Character
Brooklyn Heights sits as one of Brooklyn's most transit-accessible neighborhoods, with the 2, 3, 4, 5, R, A, and C lines converging within walking distance. You'll find approximately 239 trees per 200 meters on average with a canopy density of 6.8/10—enough green to soften block walks, though not densely forested. The Brooklyn Promenade remains the neighborhood's centerpiece, offering unobstructed Manhattan views across a tree-lined pedestrian spine. Fort Greene Park sits about 1.7 kilometers away for larger recreational space. The area maintains its historic character through streetscapes of preserved brownstones and a historic district designation, but the pedestrian experience trades park access and open space for proximity to transit and Manhattan sightlines.
Analysis based on 38 properties scored across 30+ data points
Livability & Restoration
Tree Canopy
239 trees
Avg within 200m | Density: 6.8/10
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 1729m away | Score: 3.5/10
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
0/10
Enclosure: 0/10
Transit & Commute
Subway Stations
Commute Score
9.6/10
Borough median: 8/10
Walk Score Proxy
0/10
Based on street geometry analysis
Financial Landscape
Median Price
$770K
Price per Sq Ft
$1250
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
86
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
239
Within 200m radius
Canopy Density
6.8/10
Normalized canopy coverage
Park Network
- Fort Greene Park
Avg distance: 1729m
Outdoor Space Types
Practical Living
Building Types
Bedroom Distribution
Laundry Availability
Who Brooklyn Heights Is For
Commuters prioritizing Manhattan access
Commute score of 9.6 significantly exceeds Brooklyn median of 8.0, with seven subway lines within reasonable walking distance
Historic brownstone buyers
100% condo inventory and zero unused FAR indicate limited new development; the neighborhood is built-out and locked into existing architectural character
Art and culture-focused residents
ART/Livability score of 6.0 beats borough median of 5.0, reflecting existing cultural amenities and educated demographic density
Pros & Cons
Strengths
Exceptional commute access
Commute score of 9.6 vs. borough median of 8.0; multiple subway lines (2, 3, 4, 5, R, A, C) converge within the neighborhood
Strong arts and livability profile
ART/Livability score of 6.0 exceeds Brooklyn median of 5.0
Established historic district
Zero unused FAR and 100% condo inventory reflects a fully preserved, low-development neighborhood
Trade-offs
Limited outdoor space and parks
Outdoor score of 2.5 trails Brooklyn median of 4.6; nearest major park (Fort Greene) averages 1.7km away
Below-average financial metrics
Financial score of 5.3 lags borough median of 5.7, indicating higher cost relative to neighborhood economic indicators
Weaker practical amenities
Practical score of 3.8 significantly below borough median of 6.4, suggesting limited everyday services or convenience infrastructure
Score Any Address in Brooklyn Heights
Get detailed livability scores based on building health, transit access, safety, noise levels, and 15+ NYC data sources.
Search an Address in Brooklyn HeightsFrequently Asked Questions about Brooklyn Heights
1Is Brooklyn Heights safe?
Brooklyn Heights safety varies by block. DwellCheck provides detailed safety data including NYPD crime statistics, arrest data, and 311 complaints. Check the Brooklyn Heights safety page for full details.
2What is the average rent in Brooklyn Heights?
Rents in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn vary significantly by building and apartment type. The median listing price is $770K. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses.
3How is transit access in Brooklyn Heights?
Brooklyn Heights has a commute score of 9.6/10. 3 subway stations serve the area: Borough Hall/Court St, High St, Clark St.
4What are the best streets in Brooklyn 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 Brooklyn Heights?
Median composite score is 5.4 (interquartile range 4.9–6.4). The neighborhood excels in commute (9.6) and arts/culture (6.0) but underperforms in outdoor access (2.5) and practical amenities (3.8), dragging the overall composite down.
6How much tree cover is in Brooklyn Heights?
You'll find an average of 239 trees within 200 meters with a canopy density of 6.8/10—moderate coverage that adds street-level greenery without creating a heavily forested feel.
7What transit lines serve Brooklyn Heights?
Seven lines converge: the 2, 3, 4, 5 at Borough Hall/Court Street; the R also at Court Street; the A and C at High Street; and the 2 and 3 at Clark Street, making it one of Brooklyn's best-connected neighborhoods.
8What's driving the low Practical score?
The Practical score of 3.8 (vs. borough median 6.4) reflects limited day-to-day retail, services, and convenience infrastructure relative to other Brooklyn neighborhoods—a trade-off for the area's preservation and historic character.