Is West Village Safe? Manhattan Livability, Crime & Rent
West Village scores 7.2 median (IQR 6.8–7.6)—a solidly livable, tree-dense neighborhood with excellent transit and parks, offset by rising crime and persistent noise.
Is West Village Safe?
West Village, Manhattan scores 7.2/10 for overall livability, ranking #4 of 17 Manhattan neighborhoods. West Village scores 7.2 median (IQR 6.8–7.6)—a solidly livable, tree-dense neighborhood with excellent transit and parks, offset by rising crime and persistent noise.
This score aggregates live NYPD crime data, 311 safety complaints, shooting incidents, and building health signals within walking distance. Safety varies by block — check a specific West Village address below for a block-level breakdown.
Score Overview
Vertical line = borough median. Scale: 0-10.
Neighborhood Character
West Village wraps you in tree-lined streets where nearly 190 trees average within a 200-meter radius, creating a 9.5/10 canopy density that softens the urban grid. You'll walk on cobblestones past independent boutiques and historic townhouses, with five parks within a short walk—James J Walker Park, Jefferson Market Garden, and the NYC AIDS Memorial at St. Vincent's Triangle among them. The neighborhood's four major subway hubs (14 St/8 Av, W 4 St-Washington Square, 14 St/6 Av, and Christopher St-Stonewall) mean you're never more than a few blocks from fast transit, and Hudson River Park's waterfront amenities anchor the western edge. All buildings here are walk-ups, a defining characteristic that shapes both the neighborhood's charm and its physical reality.
Analysis based on 13 properties scored across 30+ data points
Livability & Restoration
Tree Canopy
190 trees
Avg within 200m | Density: 9.5/10
10 additional trees per block correlates with health benefits equivalent to being 7 years younger (Kardan et al., 2015)
Park Access
James J Walker Park
Avg 218m away | Score: 3.5/10
Living within 300m of green space associated with 30% fewer antidepressant prescriptions (Taylor et al., 2015)
Acoustic Quality
9/10
Noise proxy score (higher = quieter)
Chronic noise above 55 dB at night associated with 8% cardiovascular mortality increase (Basner et al., 2014)
Street Character
0/10
Enclosure: 0/10
Transit & Commute
Subway Stations
Commute Score
8.5/10
Borough median: 8.5/10
Walk Score Proxy
0/10
Based on street geometry analysis
Financial Landscape
Median Price
$0
Price per Sq Ft
$0
Price Distribution
Price by Building Type
Investment Indicators
Avg Unused FAR
0 sqft
Development rights potential
Unused development rights valued at $30-$80/sqft in Brooklyn (Glaeser, 2011)
Avg Days on Market
0
Market velocity signal
Multi-Family Stock
0%
2-4 family buildings
Multi-family owner-occupants build 2.4x wealth vs single-family (Herbert, 2013)
Outdoor & Green Space
Avg Tree Count
190
Within 200m radius
Canopy Density
9.5/10
Normalized canopy coverage
Park Network
- James J Walker Park
- Corporal John A. Seravalli Playground
- Bleecker Playground
- NYC AIDS Memorial Park at St. Vincent’s Triangle
- Jefferson Market Garden
Avg distance: 218m
Practical Living
Building Types
Who West Village Is For
Transit-dependent professionals
Commute score of 8.5 matches the borough median, with four subway lines providing express access to Midtown and Downtown employment centers
Outdoor-focused residents
Outdoor score of 6.9 significantly exceeds the borough median of 4.2, driven by above-average parks, tree density, and immediate access to Hudson River Park
Long-term residents seeking stability
Safety percentile of 72% in the borough, practical score of 9 (well above borough median of 5.8), and established infrastructure suggest a neighborhood built for staying put
Pros & Cons
Strengths
Exceptional tree canopy and park access
190 trees within 200m with 9.5/10 canopy density; five parks averaging 218m away including waterfront access
Frequent, reliable transit options
Low pest pressure
106 rodent complaints (Low rating) indicates well-maintained buildings and sanitation practices
Above-borough-average safety
Safety percentile of 72% in Manhattan; lower rodent complaints correlate with maintained housing stock
Trade-offs
Worsening crime trend
Crime increased 196.2% over 12 months; total crimes tracked at 2,500, despite current safety percentile remaining above median
Very high noise complaints
3,865 noise complaints—a significant volume reflecting street-level activity and pedestrian density
Walk-up buildings with no elevators
100% of tracked buildings are walk-ups; relevant for mobility concerns or moving logistics
Limited investment/price data
Financial and Investment scores held neutral at 5.0 due to absence of NYC Open Data pricing; market dynamics not quantified here
Score Any Address in West Village
Get detailed livability scores based on building health, transit access, safety, noise levels, and 15+ NYC data sources.
Search an Address in West VillageFrequently Asked Questions about West Village
1Is West Village safe?
West Village safety varies by block. DwellCheck provides detailed safety data including NYPD crime statistics, arrest data, and 311 complaints. Check the West Village safety page for full details.
2What is the average rent in West Village?
Rents in West Village, Manhattan vary significantly by building and apartment type. The median listing price is $0. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses.
3How is transit access in West Village?
West Village has a commute score of 8.5/10. 4 subway stations serve the area: 14 St/8 Av, W 4 St-Wash Sq, 14 St/6 Av.
4What are the best streets in West Village?
The best streets depend on your priorities. Use DwellCheck to compare specific addresses across livability, safety, transit, and environmental factors.
5What is the average DwellScore in West Village?
Median composite score is 7.2 (interquartile range 6.8–7.6). The neighborhood's strength lies in practical livability (9/10) and commute (8.5/10), while Art/Livability and Financial scores track at 5.3 and 5.0 respectively.
6How safe is West Village compared to Manhattan?
Safety percentile ranks at 72nd in the borough, above median. However, crimes increased 196.2% over 12 months (2,500 total), signaling a worsening trend despite current relative safety.
7What transit options are available?
Four subway stations serve the neighborhood: 14 St/8 Av (A, C, E, L); W 4 St-Washington Square (A, B, C, D, E, F, M); 14 St/6 Av (1, 2, 3, F, L, M); and Christopher St-Stonewall (1). Commute score matches the borough median at 8.5.
8How green is West Village?
Outdoor score of 6.9 significantly exceeds the borough median (4.2). You'll find approximately 190 trees within 200 meters with canopy density rated 9.5/10, plus five parks averaging 218m away, including Hudson River Park waterfront access.