Is Midtown, Manhattan Safe in 2026?
Based on 16,301 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 96 shooting incidents, and 12,458 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Midtown is above the Manhattan average for crime with incidents trending upward (178.2% increase year-over-year).
Midtown is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 40% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 16,301 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers April 2025 – April 2026 (12 months) · Source: NYPD CompStat & NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated April 5, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
16,301
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
96
20 fatal
Violent Crimes
3,453
5,342 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 178.2%
178.2% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 5,365 | 32.9% |
| grand larceny | 2,547 | 15.6% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 1,343 | 8.2% |
| harrassment 2 | 1,247 | 7.6% |
| other offenses related to theft | 708 | 4.3% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 662 | 4.1% |
| felony assault | 502 | 3.1% |
| burglary | 492 | 3.0% |
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
10,066
95.9 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
167
1.6 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
2,225
21.2 per 1,000 residents
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
8,908
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
2,767
31% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
6,033
68% of total
How Safe Is Midtown Compared to Other Manhattan Neighborhoods?
Manhattan Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Village | 371 | 0 | Exceptionally Safe | 96% |
| Yorkville | 1,426 | 13 | High Activity Area | 84% |
| SoHo | 1,911 | 90 | High Activity Area | 79% |
| Chinatown | 1,868 | 90 | High Activity Area | 79% |
| Inwood | 1,880 | 188 | High Activity Area | 79% |
| Upper East Side | 4,091 | 14 | Higher Than Average | 77% |
| Murray Hill | 2,084 | 15 | Higher Than Average | 77% |
| Turtle Bay | 2,084 | 15 | Higher Than Average | 77% |
| West Village | 2,500 | 10 | Higher Than Average | 72% |
| Hell's Kitchen | 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% |
| Washington Heights | 6,560 | 419 | High Activity Area | 64% |
| NoHo | 3,380 | 94 | High Activity Area | 62% |
| Tribeca | 3,540 | 20 | High Activity Area | 61% |
| Harlem | 9,504 | 989 | High Activity Area | 47% |
| Chelsea | 5,215 | 106 | High Activity Area | 42% |
| Gramercy Park | 5,319 | 44 | High Activity Area | 41% |
| Greenwich Village | 5,439 | 37 | High Activity Area | 40% |
| Midtown (this page) | 16,301 | 96 | 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 Midtown.
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 Midtown 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 Midtown Safety
Is Midtown safe?
Midtown is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 16,301 crime incidents were recorded, including 96 shooting incidents. Midtown is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 40% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 16,301 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Midtown?
The most common crimes in Midtown are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (5,365 incidents, 32.9% of total); 2. GRAND LARCENY (2,547 incidents, 15.6% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (1,343 incidents, 8.2% of total).
Is Midtown safer than the Manhattan average?
Midtown is safer than 40% of Manhattan neighborhoods. It had 21% more incidents than the borough average (16,301 vs. a borough average of 13,500).
How has crime changed in Midtown?
Crime in Midtown has worsened by 178.2% year-over-year, rising from 5,860 to 16,301 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Midtown?
311 data shows 10,066 Very High complaints, 167 Low complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Midtown safe at night?
Night safety in Midtown varies by block. About 25.2% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Midtown recorded 96 shooting incidents (20 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Midtown safe for families?
For families considering Midtown: the neighborhood recorded 10,066 noise complaints (very high for Manhattan) and 167 rodent reports. It ranks in the 40th percentile for safety in Manhattan. 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. Midtown ranks at the 40th percentile with 16,301 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 Midtown
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Midtown.
Search an Address in Midtown