Is Harlem Safe? Manhattan Livability, Crime & Rent
Harlem scores a 6.3 median composite: strong on practical logistics and green space, weak on safety trends and noise, neutral on financial and investment fundamentals.
Is Harlem Safe?
Harlem, Manhattan scores 6.3/10 for overall livability, ranking #13 of 17 Manhattan neighborhoods. Harlem scores a 6.3 median composite: strong on practical logistics and green space, weak on safety trends and noise, neutral on financial and investment fundamentals.
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 Harlem address below for a block-level breakdown.
Score Overview
Vertical line = borough median. Scale: 0-10.
Neighborhood Character
You'll find yourself in a neighborhood dense with street trees—averaging 79 within a 200-meter radius with 9.5/10 canopy density—that softens the midrise building fabric dominating the streetscape. The area clusters around two major transit hubs (110 St and 103 St stations on the 6 line), making it a throughway that feels animated and in motion. Five parks anchor different blocks: Marcus Garvey Park, Thomas Jefferson Park, Harlem River Park, Louis Cuvillier Louis Cuvillier Park, and Triboro Plaza sit an average of 154 meters away, offering green relief across the neighborhood. The sound profile is notably active—17,169 noise complaints filed over 12 months reflect a high-density, high-traffic environment where street noise and sirens are ambient facts of daily life.
Analysis based on 1076 properties scored across 30+ data points
Livability & Restoration
Tree Canopy
79 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
Marcus Garvey Park
Avg 154m away | Score: 3/10
Living within 300m of green space associated with 30% fewer antidepressant prescriptions (Taylor et al., 2015)
Acoustic Quality
10/10
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: 8.5/10
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
79
Within 200m radius
Canopy Density
9.5/10
Normalized canopy coverage
Park Network
- Marcus Garvey Park
- Thomas Jefferson Park
- Harlem River Park
- Louis Cuvillier Park
- Triboro Plaza
Avg distance: 154m
Practical Living
Building Types
Who Harlem Is For
Transit-dependent commuters
Direct 6 line access at two stations with practical infrastructure score of 9—the highest metric in your profile—makes navigating without a car straightforward and efficient
People prioritizing outdoor access
Outdoor score of 6 combined with exceptional tree coverage (79 avg per 200m) and five nearby parks puts green space above borough median (4.2)
Those accepting trade-offs for cultural anchors
Established cultural institutions and affordable housing stock draw residents willing to accept high noise (17,169 complaints) and safety volatility (crime +205.6% trend)
Pros & Cons
Strengths
Exceptional tree canopy and park access
79 trees average within 200m with 9.5/10 canopy density; five parks within 154m average, outperforming borough outdoor score of 4.2
Strong transit connectivity
Two subway stations (110 St, 103 St on the 6 line) with practical score of 9—highest metric and well above borough median of 5.8
Stable mid-rise building stock
1,076 tracked buildings predominantly mid-rise (75%) and high-rise (20%), providing consistent residential infrastructure
Trade-offs
Very high noise environment
17,169 noise complaints over 12 months indicate sustained street-level activity and limited sound insulation expectations
Worsening crime trend
9,504 total crimes in 12 months with +205.6% trend increase signals deteriorating safety dynamics despite percentile ranking at 47% (mid-range for borough)
Weak commute score despite transit access
Commute score of 5 is significantly below borough median of 8.5, suggesting commute times or transfers remain problematic despite station presence
Score Any Address in Harlem
Get detailed livability scores based on building health, transit access, safety, noise levels, and 15+ NYC data sources.
Search an Address in HarlemFrequently Asked Questions about Harlem
1Is Harlem safe?
Harlem safety varies by block. DwellCheck provides detailed safety data including NYPD crime statistics, arrest data, and 311 complaints. Check the Harlem safety page for full details.
2What is the average rent in Harlem?
Rents in Harlem, Manhattan vary significantly by building and apartment type. The median listing price is $0. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses.
3How is transit access in Harlem?
Harlem has a commute score of 5/10. 2 subway stations serve the area: 110 St, 103 St.
4What are the best streets in Harlem?
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 Harlem?
Median composite score is 6.3 (interquartile range 5.9–6.7). Your practical infrastructure and outdoor access pull the score up; commute dynamics and safety volatility pull it down.
6Is Harlem safe?
Safety percentile ranks at 47% within the borough—median territory—but the trend is concerning: crimes increased 205.6% over 12 months. High noise complaints (17,169) and elevated rodent complaints (1,276) reflect neighborhood stress points.
7How accessible is public transit?
You have direct access to the 6 line at 110 St and 103 St stations. Practical score of 9 is highest in your profile, but commute score of 5 (vs. borough median 8.5) suggests actual commute times may still be long depending on destination.
8What's the outdoor and green space situation?
Outdoor score of 6 beats borough median of 4.2. You'll average 79 trees within 200m with 9.5/10 canopy density, and five parks (Marcus Garvey, Thomas Jefferson, Harlem River, Louis Cuvillier, Triboro Plaza) sit roughly 154m away on average.