Is Upper West Side, Manhattan Safe in 2026?
Based on 5,720 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 88 shooting incidents, and 20,530 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Upper West Side is below the Manhattan average for crime with incidents trending upward (209.5% increase year-over-year).
Upper West Side is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 68% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 5,720 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
5,720
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
88
16 fatal
Violent Crimes
1,105
1,670 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 209.5%
209.5% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 1,837 | 32.1% |
| grand larceny | 811 | 14.2% |
| harrassment 2 | 793 | 13.9% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 420 | 7.3% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 298 | 5.2% |
| other offenses related to theft | 211 | 3.7% |
| burglary | 175 | 3.1% |
| felony assault | 164 | 2.9% |
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
15,426
220.4 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
827
11.8 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
4,277
61.1 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
2,365
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
719
30% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
1,594
67% of total
How Safe Is Upper West 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 | 2,675 | 19 | High Activity Area | 70% |
| Financial District | 2,802 | 13 | High Activity Area | 69% |
| Upper West Side (this page) | 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 West 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 West 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 West Side Safety
Is Upper West Side safe?
Upper West Side is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 5,720 crime incidents were recorded, including 88 shooting incidents. Upper West Side is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 68% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 5,720 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Upper West Side?
The most common crimes in Upper West Side are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (1,837 incidents, 32.1% of total); 2. GRAND LARCENY (811 incidents, 14.2% of total); 3. HARRASSMENT 2 (793 incidents, 13.9% of total).
Is Upper West Side safer than the Manhattan average?
Upper West Side is safer than 68% of Manhattan neighborhoods. It had 36% fewer incidents than the borough average (5,720 vs. a borough average of 9,000).
How has crime changed in Upper West Side?
Crime in Upper West Side has worsened by 209.5% year-over-year, rising from 1,848 to 5,720 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Upper West Side?
311 data shows 15,426 Very High complaints, 827 Moderate complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Upper West Side safe at night?
Night safety in Upper West Side varies by block. About 22.5% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Upper West Side recorded 88 shooting incidents (16 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Upper West Side safe for families?
For families considering Upper West Side: the neighborhood recorded 15,426 noise complaints (very high for Manhattan) and 827 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 68% 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 West Side ranks at the 68th percentile with 5,720 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 West 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 West Side.
Search an Address in Upper West Side