Is Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan Safe in 2026?
Based on 2,595 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 196 shooting incidents, and 17,750 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Hell's Kitchen is below the Manhattan average for crime with incidents trending upward (153.7% increase year-over-year).
Hell's Kitchen is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 71% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 2,595 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers March 2025 – March 2026 (12 months) · Source: NYPD CompStat & NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated March 31, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
2,595
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
196
37 fatal
Violent Crimes
402
792 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 153.7%
153.7% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| harrassment 2 | 482 | 18.6% |
| petit larceny | 418 | 16.1% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 283 | 10.9% |
| grand larceny | 219 | 8.4% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 162 | 6.2% |
| dangerous drugs | 116 | 4.5% |
| off. agnst pub ord sensblty & | 114 | 4.4% |
| felony assault | 111 | 4.3% |
Severity Distribution
Where Crimes Occur
Quality of Life Indicators
311 complaints reveal patterns about daily quality of life that crime statistics alone do not capture. These are resident-reported issues from the past 12 months.
Noise Complaints
9,892
282.6 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
358
10.2 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
7,500
214.3 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Arrest Activity
Arrest data reflects law enforcement activity in the area. High arrest counts relative to crime can indicate active policing; low counts may reflect under-enforcement or lower crime.
Total Arrests
1,660
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
666
40% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
976
59% of total
How Safe Is Hell's Kitchen Compared to Other Manhattan Neighborhoods?
Manhattan Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Village | 371 | 0 | Exceptionally Safe | 96% |
| SoHo | 1,911 | 90 | High Activity Area | 79% |
| Upper East Side | 4,091 | 14 | Higher Than Average | 77% |
| Hell's Kitchen (this page) | 2,595 | 196 | High Activity Area | 71% |
| Lower East Side | 2,675 | 19 | High Activity Area | 70% |
| Financial District | 2,802 | 13 | High Activity Area | 69% |
| Upper West Side | 5,720 | 88 | High Activity Area | 68% |
| Tribeca | 3,540 | 20 | High Activity Area | 61% |
| Harlem | 9,504 | 989 | High Activity Area | 47% |
| Chelsea | 5,215 | 106 | High Activity Area | 42% |
| Greenwich Village | 5,439 | 37 | High Activity Area | 40% |
Understanding This Data
All crime statistics on this page are sourced directly from the NYPD CompStat database via NYC Open Data. Incidents are mapped to neighborhood boundaries using the NYC Department of City Planning Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (NTAs) — the same geographic units used in official census reporting. Each safety score reflects the cumulative activity within the NTA boundaries assigned to Hell's Kitchen.
NTA boundaries are drawn to maintain population comparability across census tracts, which means they may not perfectly align with what residents consider their "neighborhood." In some cases, a single NTA spans areas with different character. The percentile ranking compares Hell's Kitchen only against other NTAs within Manhattan, so scores are borough-relative rather than city-wide.
Safety conditions vary significantly block by block. Neighborhood-level statistics provide important context but should not substitute for address-level research. Use DwellCheck to analyze a specific address and understand the precise safety environment within walking distance of where you plan to live.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hell's Kitchen Safety
Is Hell's Kitchen safe?
Hell's Kitchen is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 2,595 crime incidents were recorded, including 196 shooting incidents. Hell's Kitchen is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 71% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 2,595 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Hell's Kitchen?
The most common crimes in Hell's Kitchen are: 1. HARRASSMENT 2 (482 incidents, 18.6% of total); 2. PETIT LARCENY (418 incidents, 16.1% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (283 incidents, 10.9% of total).
Is Hell's Kitchen safer than the Manhattan average?
Hell's Kitchen is safer than 71% of Manhattan neighborhoods. It had 42% fewer incidents than the borough average (2,595 vs. a borough average of 4,500).
How has crime changed in Hell's Kitchen?
Crime in Hell's Kitchen has worsened by 153.7% year-over-year, rising from 1,023 to 2,595 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Hell's Kitchen?
311 data shows 9,892 Very High complaints, 358 Moderate complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Hell's Kitchen safe at night?
Night safety in Hell's Kitchen varies by block. About 35.6% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Hell's Kitchen recorded 196 shooting incidents (37 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Hell's Kitchen safe for families?
For families considering Hell's Kitchen: the neighborhood recorded 9,892 noise complaints (very high for Manhattan) and 358 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 71% of Manhattan neighborhoods, which is above average. Family-friendliness also depends on schools, parks, and building quality — use DwellCheck to evaluate a specific address.
What is the safest neighborhood in Manhattan?
Safety varies across Manhattan neighborhoods. Hell's Kitchen ranks at the 71th percentile with 2,595 incidents. Compare all Manhattan neighborhoods in the comparison table above to see how each ranks by total crime, shootings, and borough percentile. All data is sourced from NYPD CompStat.
Check a Specific Address in Hell's Kitchen
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Hell's Kitchen.
Search an Address in Hell's Kitchen