Is Lower East Side, Manhattan Safe in 2026?
Based on 2,675 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 19 shooting incidents, and 3,777 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Lower East Side is below the Manhattan average for crime with incidents trending upward (262.5% increase year-over-year).
Lower East Side is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 70% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 2,675 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
2,675
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
19
4 fatal
Violent Crimes
573
895 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 262.5%
262.5% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 701 | 26.2% |
| grand larceny | 434 | 16.2% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 239 | 8.9% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 216 | 8.1% |
| other offenses related to theft | 211 | 7.9% |
| harrassment 2 | 200 | 7.5% |
| dangerous drugs | 191 | 7.1% |
| felony assault | 84 | 3.1% |
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
3,241
92.6 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
67
1.9 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
469
13.4 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
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
1,082
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
363
34% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
700
65% of total
How Safe Is Lower East Side 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 | 2,595 | 196 | High Activity Area | 71% |
| Lower East Side (this page) | 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 Lower East Side.
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 Lower East Side 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 Lower East Side Safety
Is Lower East Side safe?
Lower East Side is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 2,675 crime incidents were recorded, including 19 shooting incidents. Lower East Side is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 70% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 2,675 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Lower East Side?
The most common crimes in Lower East Side are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (701 incidents, 26.2% of total); 2. GRAND LARCENY (434 incidents, 16.2% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (239 incidents, 8.9% of total).
Is Lower East Side safer than the Manhattan average?
Lower East Side is safer than 70% of Manhattan neighborhoods. It had 41% fewer incidents than the borough average (2,675 vs. a borough average of 4,500).
How has crime changed in Lower East Side?
Crime in Lower East Side has worsened by 262.5% year-over-year, rising from 738 to 2,675 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Lower East Side?
311 data shows 3,241 Very High complaints, 67 Low complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Lower East Side safe at night?
Night safety in Lower East Side varies by block. About 21.7% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Lower East Side recorded 19 shooting incidents (4 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Lower East Side safe for families?
For families considering Lower East Side: the neighborhood recorded 3,241 noise complaints (very high for Manhattan) and 67 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 70% 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. Lower East Side ranks at the 70th percentile with 2,675 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 Lower East Side
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Lower East Side.
Search an Address in Lower East Side