Is Elmhurst Safe? Queens Livability, Crime & Rent
Elmhurst scores 6.9 as a transit-first, services-rich neighborhood that trades cultural amenities for practical walkability and commute efficiency.
Is Elmhurst Safe?
Elmhurst, Queens scores 6.9/10 for overall livability, ranking #2 of 13 Queens neighborhoods. Elmhurst scores 6.9 as a transit-first, services-rich neighborhood that trades cultural amenities for practical walkability and commute efficiency.
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 Elmhurst address below for a block-level breakdown.
Score Overview
Vertical line = borough median. Scale: 0-10.
Neighborhood Character
Elmhurst is a dense, transit-rich residential neighborhood where you'll navigate tree-lined blocks—averaging 116 trees within 200 meters with a canopy density of 9.5/10—and find yourself within walking distance of five parks including Elmhurst Park and Hoffman Park. The built environment is split between mid-rise apartment buildings (57%) and walk-ups (43%), creating a mixed streetscape of varied scales. You're surrounded by global food options and Queens Center Mall nearby, anchored by a genuinely diverse community where practical daily life runs smoothly: grocery stores, transit hubs, schools, and services cluster efficiently throughout the neighborhood.
Analysis based on 7 properties scored across 30+ data points
Livability & Restoration
Tree Canopy
116 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
Elmhurst Park
Avg 479m away | Score: 3/10
Living within 300m of green space associated with 30% fewer antidepressant prescriptions (Taylor et al., 2015)
Acoustic Quality
10/10
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
8/10
Borough median: 5.5/10
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
116
Within 200m radius
Canopy Density
9.5/10
Normalized canopy coverage
Park Network
- Elmhurst Park
- Hoffman Park
- Moore Homestead Playground
- Crowley Playground
- Frank D. O'Connor Playground
Avg distance: 479m
Practical Living
Building Types
Who Elmhurst Is For
Transit-dependent commuters
Commute score of 8 (well above borough median of 5.5) with access to five subway stations including the 7, E, F, M, and R lines on multiple blocks
People prioritizing walkability and errands
Practical score of 9 (far exceeding borough median of 5.3) indicates strong availability of essential services, schools, and daily conveniences
Green space seekers on a budget
Outdoor score of 6 (above borough median of 5) backed by high tree density (9.5/10 canopy) and five accessible parks within 479m average distance
Pros & Cons
Strengths
Excellent transit connectivity
Five subway stations within the neighborhood (Woodhaven Blvd, Grand Av-Newtown, Elmhurst Av, Jackson Hts-Roosevelt Av, Junction Blvd) serving M, R, 7, E, and F lines; commute score of 8
Strong tree canopy coverage
Average of 116 trees within 200m radius with 9.5/10 canopy density—substantially greener than many Queens blocks
Practical neighborhood essentials
Diverse dining and cultural options
Global cuisine scene and established community institutions provide authentic neighborhood character and choice
Trade-offs
Below-average arts and cultural amenities
ART/Livability score of 4.8 matches borough median exactly—fewer galleries, performance venues, and cultural institutions relative to other neighborhoods
Limited investment activity data
Investment score of 5.0 (below borough median of 5.5) with only 7 tracked buildings, suggesting less development momentum or commercial activity tracked in available data
Financial services below borough average
Financial score of 5.0 versus borough median of 6, indicating fewer banks, credit unions, or financial service providers within tracked data
Score Any Address in Elmhurst
Get detailed livability scores based on building health, transit access, safety, noise levels, and 15+ NYC data sources.
Search an Address in ElmhurstFrequently Asked Questions about Elmhurst
1Is Elmhurst safe?
Elmhurst safety varies by block. DwellCheck provides detailed safety data including NYPD crime statistics, arrest data, and 311 complaints. Check the Elmhurst safety page for full details.
2What is the average rent in Elmhurst?
Rents in Elmhurst, Queens vary significantly by building and apartment type. The median listing price is $0. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses.
3How is transit access in Elmhurst?
Elmhurst has a commute score of 8/10. 5 subway stations serve the area: Woodhaven Blvd, Grand Av-Newtown, Elmhurst Av.
4What are the best streets in Elmhurst?
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 Elmhurst?
The median composite score is 6.9 (interquartile range 6.5–7.3). This is driven by exceptional Practical (9) and Commute (8) scores, offset by below-average Financial (5) and Investment (5) scores. The neighborhood ranks as solidly average on Livability (4.8) and above average on Outdoor amenities (6).
6How accessible is public transit?
Your commute score is 8, well above the Queens median of 5.5. Five subway stations serve the neighborhood: Woodhaven Blvd, Grand Av-Newtown, Elmhurst Av, Jackson Hts-Roosevelt Av/74 St-Broadway, and Junction Blvd, with M, R, 7, E, and F line access.
7How much green space is nearby?
Elmhurst has high tree density (9.5/10 canopy coverage, averaging 116 trees per 200m radius) and five parks—Elmhurst Park, Hoffman Park, Moore Homestead Playground, Crowley Playground, and Frank D. O'Connor Playground—within an average 479m walk.
8What type of buildings predominate here?
57% of tracked buildings are mid-rise (typically 6–12 stories), while 43% are walk-ups (typically 3–5 stories), creating a moderate-density residential streetscape.