Is Upper East Side, Manhattan Safe in 2026?
Based on 4,091 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 14 shooting incidents, and 7,590 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Upper East Side is below the Manhattan average for crime with incidents trending upward (157.1% increase year-over-year).
Upper East Side is considered higher than average, ranking safer than 77% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 4,091 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
4,091
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
14
3 fatal
Violent Crimes
1,078
1,503 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 157.1%
157.1% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 1,403 | 34.3% |
| grand larceny | 880 | 21.5% |
| harrassment 2 | 485 | 11.9% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 243 | 5.9% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 166 | 4.1% |
| burglary | 160 | 3.9% |
| felony assault | 112 | 2.7% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 87 | 2.1% |
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
5,110
73.0 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
351
5.0 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
2,129
30.4 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
2,168
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
848
39% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
1,300
60% of total
How Safe Is Upper 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 (this page) | 4,091 | 14 | Higher Than Average | 77% |
| 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% |
| 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 Upper 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 Upper 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 Upper East Side Safety
Is Upper East Side safe?
Upper East Side is rated "Higher Than Average" — Above-average incident activity. Over the past 12 months, 4,091 crime incidents were recorded, including 14 shooting incidents. Upper East Side is considered higher than average, ranking safer than 77% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 4,091 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Upper East Side?
The most common crimes in Upper East Side are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (1,403 incidents, 34.3% of total); 2. GRAND LARCENY (880 incidents, 21.5% of total); 3. HARRASSMENT 2 (485 incidents, 11.9% of total).
Is Upper East Side safer than the Manhattan average?
Upper East Side is safer than 77% of Manhattan neighborhoods. It had 55% fewer incidents than the borough average (4,091 vs. a borough average of 9,000).
How has crime changed in Upper East Side?
Crime in Upper East Side has worsened by 157.1% year-over-year, rising from 1,591 to 4,091 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Upper East Side?
311 data shows 5,110 Very High complaints, 351 Moderate complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Upper East Side safe at night?
Night safety in Upper East Side varies by block. About 20.8% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Upper East Side recorded 14 shooting incidents (3 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Upper East Side safe for families?
For families considering Upper East Side: the neighborhood recorded 5,110 noise complaints (very high for Manhattan) and 351 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 77% 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. Upper East Side ranks at the 77th percentile with 4,091 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 Upper 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 Upper East Side.
Search an Address in Upper East Side