Is Kensington Safe? Brooklyn Livability, Crime & Rent
Kensington is a fundamentally practical, tree-lined neighborhood (composite 6.5) best suited to those prioritizing daily walkability and greenery over rapid transit or financial upside—just brace for street noise.
Is Kensington Safe?
Kensington, Brooklyn scores 6.5/10 for overall livability, ranking #6 of 18 Brooklyn neighborhoods. Kensington is a fundamentally practical, tree-lined neighborhood (composite 6.5) best suited to those prioritizing daily walkability and greenery over rapid transit or financial upside—just brace for street noise.
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 Kensington address below for a block-level breakdown.
Score Overview
Vertical line = borough median. Scale: 0-10.
Neighborhood Character
You'll find Kensington as a solidly residential neighborhood with a dense canopy overhead—an average of 132 trees within 200 meters and 9.5/10 canopy density—that creates a leafy street environment. The area is anchored by mid-rise buildings (67% of the stock) alongside classic walk-ups, with parks like Friends Field and Gravesend Park within a 10-minute walk. The F train runs along Avenue I, N, and P, giving you direct access to downtown without needing a transfer. It's a neighborhood built for daily life rather than destination visits: you'll hear considerable street noise (1,286 complaints in the past year), but rodent issues are minimal, and the blocks feel inhabited and lived-in.
Analysis based on 3 properties scored across 30+ data points
Livability & Restoration
Tree Canopy
132 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
Friends Field
Avg 578m away | Score: 2.4/10
Living within 300m of green space associated with 30% fewer antidepressant prescriptions (Taylor et al., 2015)
Acoustic Quality
6/10
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: 6.5/10
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
132
Within 200m radius
Canopy Density
9.5/10
Normalized canopy coverage
Park Network
- Friends Field
- Gravesend Park
- Colonel David Marcus Playground
- Dahill Triangle
Avg distance: 578m
Practical Living
Building Types
Who Kensington Is For
Practical-minded renters
Practical score of 9/10 (well above borough median of 5.5) reflects solid transit access, walkable services, and low rodent complaints. This is a neighborhood optimized for the fundamentals of daily living.
People who prioritize greenery and parks
Canopy density of 9.5/10 and Outdoor score of 4.7 (matching borough average) mean you're getting more tree cover than most of Brooklyn. Proximity to Prospect Park edge adds another layer.
Families seeking established, quiet blocks
ART/Livability score of 6.8 (above borough median of 5) and family-friendly reputation, though noise complaints are very high—check specific blocks before committing.
Pros & Cons
Strengths
Excellent tree canopy coverage
132 trees average within 200m radius with 9.5/10 canopy density—among the greenest blocks in Brooklyn
Practical, walkable infrastructure
Practical score of 9/10 reflects accessible transit (F train on three avenues), services, and low rodent complaints (56 total)
Strong arts and livability metrics
ART/Livability score of 6.8, above the borough median of 5, with diverse cuisine and established community character
Multiple parks within reach
Friends Field, Gravesend Park, Colonel David Marcus Playground, and Dahill Triangle all average 578m away
Trade-offs
High noise levels
1,286 noise complaints recorded—very high by borough standards, reflecting busy streets and density
Worsening crime trend
Crime increased 137.4% over the past 12 months, though the neighborhood still ranks at the 89th percentile for safety in the borough
Below-average commute times
Commute score of 5/10 lags the borough median of 6.5, despite F train access
Neutral investment profile
Investment score of 5/10 (below borough median of 5.8) suggests limited market momentum
Score Any Address in Kensington
Get detailed livability scores based on building health, transit access, safety, noise levels, and 15+ NYC data sources.
Search an Address in KensingtonFrequently Asked Questions about Kensington
1Is Kensington safe?
Kensington safety varies by block. DwellCheck provides detailed safety data including NYPD crime statistics, arrest data, and 311 complaints. Check the Kensington safety page for full details.
2What is the average rent in Kensington?
Rents in Kensington, Brooklyn vary significantly by building and apartment type. The median listing price is $0. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses.
3How is transit access in Kensington?
Kensington has a commute score of 5/10. 3 subway stations serve the area: Avenue I, Avenue N, Avenue P.
4What are the best streets in Kensington?
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 Kensington?
The median composite score is 6.5 (interquartile range 6.1–6.9). Practical infrastructure scores highest at 9/10, while commute and investment lag at 5/10. The neighborhood's strength lies in walkability and trees, not transit speed or market trajectory.
6Is Kensington safe?
Safety ranks at the 89th percentile within Brooklyn, placing it as average for the borough. However, crime rose 137.4% year-over-year, with 705 total crimes recorded in the past 12 months. Noise complaints (1,286) are very high; rodent complaints (56) are low.
7What's the transit situation?
The F train serves three nearby stations (Avenue I, N, and P), providing direct downtown access. Despite this, the commute score is only 5/10 (below the borough median of 6.5), suggesting longer travel times to major job centers.
8How green is Kensington?
Very green. You'll find an average of 132 trees within 200 meters and a canopy density of 9.5/10—among the highest in Brooklyn. Four parks (Friends Field, Gravesend Park, Colonel David Marcus Playground, Dahill Triangle) sit within 578m on average.