Is Williamsburg Safe? Brooklyn Livability, Crime & Rent
Williamsburg scores 5.9 overall—a solid transit-first neighborhood for commuters and investors, but livability and green space lag behind comparable Brooklyn addresses.
Is Williamsburg Safe?
Williamsburg, Brooklyn scores 5.9/10 for overall livability, ranking #4 of 11 Brooklyn neighborhoods. Williamsburg scores 5.9 overall—a solid transit-first neighborhood for commuters and investors, but livability and green space lag behind comparable Brooklyn addresses.
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 Williamsburg address below for a block-level breakdown.
Score Overview
Vertical line = borough median. Scale: 0-10.
Neighborhood Character
Williamsburg is a densely built neighborhood with strong transit connectivity but sparse green infrastructure. You'll find six subway lines within walking distance—the L at Montrose and Bedford, the G at Metropolitan/Lorimer, the M and J at Marcy—making it a commuter's advantage point. But tree coverage is thin: you're looking at 174 trees per 200m radius with a canopy density of just 3.7/10, well below what creates meaningful street-level shade. McCarren Park sits nearly 1km away on average, so park access requires intentional travel. The built environment is uniform—100% condos across the market—which means consistent ownership structures but limited architectural variety. The neighborhood reads as perpetually mid-renovation: valuable enough to attract investment capital, established enough to have lost its novelty.
Analysis based on 68 properties scored across 30+ data points
Livability & Restoration
Tree Canopy
174 trees
Avg within 200m | Density: 3.7/10
10 additional trees per block correlates with health benefits equivalent to being 7 years younger (Kardan et al., 2015)
Park Access
McCarren Park
Avg 974m away | Score: 6.9/10
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
8/10
Borough median: 8/10
Walk Score Proxy
0/10
Based on street geometry analysis
Financial Landscape
Median Price
$1.1M
Price per Sq Ft
$1296
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
38
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
174
Within 200m radius
Canopy Density
3.7/10
Normalized canopy coverage
Park Network
- McCarren Park
Avg distance: 974m
Outdoor Space Types
Practical Living
Building Types
Bedroom Distribution
Laundry Availability
Who Williamsburg Is For
Long-distance commuters
Commute score of 8 (tied to borough median) with six subway lines within reach. Average 38 days on market suggests liquid inventory for quick moves.
Real estate investors
Investment score of 6.8 outpaces borough median of 5.8. Median price $1.1M at $1,296/sqft sits at a price point with active trading (68 listings tracked).
Practical urban dwellers
Practical score of 6.7 beats borough average. Transit access and condo-only market reduce friction for straightforward living arrangements.
Pros & Cons
Strengths
Exceptional transit access
Commute score of 8; six subway lines (L, G, M, J, Z) within neighborhood, multiple entry points via Montrose, Metropolitan, Graham, Marcy, Bedford, Hewes
Strong investment fundamentals
Investment score 6.8 vs. borough median 5.8; median price $1.1M with consistent condo product and 38-day average market time
Practical amenities and infrastructure
Trade-offs
Minimal tree canopy
Canopy density 3.7/10 with average 174 trees per 200m—limited shade, heat mitigation, and green-space character
Limited park proximity
McCarren Park averages 974m away; no parks within 200m walkable range
Weak livability scores
Art/Livability score of 5 (borough median 5) and Outdoor score of 4.1 (vs. borough 4.6); indicators of cultural and environmental constraints
Score Any Address in Williamsburg
Get detailed livability scores based on building health, transit access, safety, noise levels, and 15+ NYC data sources.
Search an Address in WilliamsburgFrequently Asked Questions about Williamsburg
1Is Williamsburg safe?
Williamsburg safety varies by block. DwellCheck provides detailed safety data including NYPD crime statistics, arrest data, and 311 complaints. Check the Williamsburg safety page for full details.
2What is the average rent in Williamsburg?
Rents in Williamsburg, Brooklyn vary significantly by building and apartment type. The median listing price is $1.1M. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses.
3How is transit access in Williamsburg?
Williamsburg has a commute score of 8/10. 6 subway stations serve the area: Montrose Av, Metropolitan Av/Lorimer St, Graham Av.
4What are the best streets in Williamsburg?
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 Williamsburg?
Composite median of 5.9 (interquartile range 4.9–6.6). The score is driven up by commute (8) and investment potential (6.8), pulled down by outdoor access (4.1) and livability factors (5).
6How does pricing compare to the rest of Brooklyn?
Median price $1.1M at $1,296/sqft. Financial score of 5.5 (vs. borough median 5.7) indicates pricing is aligned with broader Brooklyn market, not a discount.
7Is Williamsburg a good investment?
Investment score of 6.8 beats borough median by one point. 68 active listings with 38-day average hold time suggests healthy, liquid market. All-condo inventory reduces management complexity.
8What's the green space situation?
Sparse. Canopy density 3.7/10 and 174 trees per 200m fall below neighborhood comfort thresholds. McCarren Park (974m away) requires travel. Outdoor score 4.1 reflects this constraint.