Brooklyn

Is DUMBO Safe? Brooklyn Livability, Crime & Rent

DUMBO scores a median 4.9/10—a commutable, stable residential enclave built for remote workers and investors, hampered by isolation from neighborhood amenities and limited green space.

#10 of 11 in BrooklynBased on 40 active listingsUpdated 2026-04-04
4.9/ 10

Is DUMBO Safe?

DUMBO, Brooklyn scores 4.9/10 for overall livability, ranking #10 of 11 Brooklyn neighborhoods. DUMBO scores a median 4.9/10—a commutable, stable residential enclave built for remote workers and investors, hampered by isolation from neighborhood amenities and limited green space.

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 DUMBO address below for a block-level breakdown.

Score Overview

Financial5.6 (-0.1 vs borough)
Livability (ART)3.7 (-1.3 vs borough)
Outdoor2.5 (-2.1 vs borough)
Investment5.8 (+0.0 vs borough)
Commute8.0 (+0.0 vs borough)
Practical6.7 (+0.3 vs borough)

Vertical line = borough median. Scale: 0-10.

Neighborhood Character

You'll find yourself in a neighborhood that trades density for isolation. DUMBO's converted warehouses and cobblestone streets feel deliberately separated from Brooklyn—ringed by water on two sides, anchored by the A/C and F trains, with 95 trees per 200 meters creating pockets of greenery that feel curated rather than abundant. The nearest major park, Fort Greene, sits 1.7 kilometers away, which means you're relying on Brooklyn Bridge Park for outdoor access. Walking here, you move between industrial loft conversions and new development, with the Manhattan skyline as a constant visual reference. It's a neighborhood that prioritizes views and architecture over street-level amenities.

Analysis based on 40 properties scored across 30+ data points

Livability & Restoration

Tree Canopy

95 trees

Avg within 200m | Density: 1/10

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 1763m away | Score: 3.3/10

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

ART Score3.7/10

Transit & Commute

Subway Stations

A C
High St
F
York St

Commute Score

8/10

Borough median: 8/10

Walk Score Proxy

0/10

Based on street geometry analysis

Financial Landscape

Median Price

$1.4M

Price per Sq Ft

$1503

Price Distribution

$991K$1.9M
10th pctileMedian: $1.4M90th pctile

Price by Building Type

Condo
100%

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

77

Market velocity signal

Multi-Family Stock

0%

2-4 family buildings

Multi-family owner-occupants build 2.4x wealth vs single-family (Herbert, 2013)

Investment Score5.8/10

Outdoor & Green Space

Avg Tree Count

95

Within 200m radius

Canopy Density

1/10

Normalized canopy coverage

Park Network

  • Fort Greene Park

Avg distance: 1763m

Outdoor Space Types

Terrace
95%
Backyard
5%

Practical Living

Building Types

Condo
100%

Bedroom Distribution

1 BR
63%
2 BR
33%
3 BR
3%
0 BR
3%

Laundry Availability

In-Unit
95%
Basement
5%

Who DUMBO Is For

Remote workers and finance professionals

Commute score of 8/10 and median price of $1.42M attract established earners; 100% condo stock suits those avoiding landlord relationships.

Design-focused buyers

Practical score of 6.7/10 (above borough median) reflects walkable essentials, while warehouse-loft typology appeals to aesthetic priorities.

Investors seeking stability

Investment score of 5.8/10 matches borough median; low unused FAR (0 sqft) signals built-out market with limited redevelopment upside.

Pros & Cons

Strengths

Excellent commute access

Commute score of 8/10 via High St (A/C) and York St (F) lines; above borough median.

Strong financial metrics

Financial score of 5.6/10 nearly matches borough median; median price $1.42M, price/sqft $1,503.

Built-out market signals stability

Zero average unused FAR indicates limited new supply; all units are condos (100%), reducing rental market volatility.

Trade-offs

Weak livability and cultural amenities

ART/Livability score of 3.7/10 versus 5.0 borough median; neighborhood underperforms on arts, culture, and neighborhood character.

Minimal green space

Outdoor score of 2.5/10 (borough median 4.6); canopy density is only 1/10, and nearest major park is 1.7km away.

Slow sales velocity

Average 77 days on market suggests softer demand relative to other Brooklyn hotspots; no YoY appreciation data available.

Score Any Address in DUMBO

Get detailed livability scores based on building health, transit access, safety, noise levels, and 15+ NYC data sources.

Search an Address in DUMBO

Frequently Asked Questions about DUMBO

1

Is DUMBO safe?

DUMBO safety varies by block. DwellCheck provides detailed safety data including NYPD crime statistics, arrest data, and 311 complaints. Check the DUMBO safety page for full details.

2

What is the average rent in DUMBO?

Rents in DUMBO, Brooklyn vary significantly by building and apartment type. The median listing price is $1.4M. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses.

3

How is transit access in DUMBO?

DUMBO has a commute score of 8/10. 2 subway stations serve the area: High St, York St.

4

What are the best streets in DUMBO?

The best streets depend on your priorities. Use DwellCheck to compare specific addresses across livability, safety, transit, and environmental factors.

5

What is the average DwellScore in DUMBO?

Median composite score is 4.9/10 (interquartile range 4.2–5.4). Commute and Practical scores anchor the neighborhood (8.0 and 6.7 respectively), while ART/Livability (3.7) and Outdoor (2.5) pull it down significantly below borough medians.

6

Why is the Outdoor score so low?

Outdoor score of 2.5/10 reflects sparse tree coverage (95 trees per 200m with only 1/10 canopy density) and distance to the nearest major park—Fort Greene Park is 1.7km away. Access to Brooklyn Bridge Park mitigates this partially but doesn't offset the deficit.

7

Is DUMBO a good investment?

Investment score of 5.8/10 matches borough median, indicating stable but not exceptional fundamentals. The 0 sqft average unused FAR signals the market is built out with little redevelopment potential. Median price is $1.42M at $1,503/sqft; however, 77-day market time and unavailable YoY appreciation data suggest softer momentum than other Brooklyn neighborhoods.

8

What's the transit situation?

You'll find the High St (A/C) and York St (F) stations, producing an 8/10 commute score—tied with borough median. Both lines offer reliable downtown and Manhattan access, though frequency can vary by time of day.

Data from NYC Open Data & DwellScore analysis (311, DOB, HPD, NYPD, MTA, Census, Trees, PLUTO)

Not financial or real estate advice