Is Jackson Heights Safe? Queens Livability, Crime & Rent
Jackson Heights is a densely planted, transit-accessible working neighborhood with solid outdoor amenities and strong walkability, but high noise and worsening crime create real quality-of-life friction (composite score 6.4).
Is Jackson Heights Safe?
Jackson Heights, Queens scores 6.4/10 for overall livability, ranking #4 of 11 Queens neighborhoods. Jackson Heights is a densely planted, transit-accessible working neighborhood with solid outdoor amenities and strong walkability, but high noise and worsening crime create real quality-of-life friction (composite score 6.4).
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 Jackson Heights address below for a block-level breakdown.
Score Overview
Vertical line = borough median. Scale: 0-10.
Neighborhood Character
Jackson Heights surrounds you with dense tree canopy—179 trees within 200 meters on average, with a canopy density of 9.5/10—creating blocks that feel greener than most of Queens. You're walking distance from Travers Park, LaGuardia Landing Lights, and four other public playgrounds, all clustered within 500 meters. The neighborhood is built mostly of mid-rise apartment buildings (81%), with 16% walk-ups that front the street, creating an urban-residential rhythm. Three subway lines converge here: the 7 at Junction Boulevard, 90th Street-Elmhurst Avenue, and 82nd Street-Jackson Heights, giving you multiple exit routes. The streets carry a working-class, immigrant-dominant character anchored by diverse restaurants and historic co-ops, but they also run loud and high-activity.
Analysis based on 343 properties scored across 30+ data points
Livability & Restoration
Tree Canopy
179 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
Travers Park
Avg 491m away | Score: 3.4/10
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
5/10
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
179
Within 200m radius
Canopy Density
9.5/10
Normalized canopy coverage
Park Network
- Travers Park
- LaGuardia Landing Lights
- Northern Playground
- Louis C. Moser Playground
- Playground Ninety
Avg distance: 491m
Practical Living
Building Types
Who Jackson Heights Is For
Transit-dependent commuters
Three 7-line subway stations provide redundant access; commute score of 5 reflects reliable but not exceptional regional reach
Families seeking outdoor space
Outdoor score of 6.7 (above borough median of 5) driven by dense tree coverage and five nearby parks within walking distance
Practical-minded renters valuing walkability
Practical score of 9 (borough median 5.3) reflects strong local services, building density, and street-level amenities
Pros & Cons
Strengths
Exceptional tree canopy and parks
179 trees per 200m radius, 9.5/10 canopy density, five parks including Travers Park within 500m average distance
Reliable subway access with redundancy
Three 7-line stations (Junction Blvd, 90 St-Elmhurst Av, 82 St-Jackson Hts) provide multiple commute options
High walkability and local services
Established neighborhood identity
Historic co-op buildings, diverse immigrant-focused cuisine, 74th Street dining corridor create distinct character
Trade-offs
Significant noise pollution
7,462 noise complaints recorded—classified as Very High, indicating sustained street-level sound from traffic and commercial activity
High and worsening crime activity
3,950 total crimes in 12 months; crime trend up 195%; safety percentile at 18% (bottom of borough) signals active police precinct
Below-median livability and arts amenities
ART/Livability score of 4.8 matches borough median but trails investment score; limited cultural institutions relative to other Queens neighborhoods
Moderate commute time to Manhattan
Commute score of 5 reflects that 7-line travel times are competitive but not fast; expect 30–40 minutes to midtown
Score Any Address in Jackson Heights
Get detailed livability scores based on building health, transit access, safety, noise levels, and 15+ NYC data sources.
Search an Address in Jackson HeightsFrequently Asked Questions about Jackson Heights
1Is Jackson Heights safe?
Jackson Heights safety varies by block. DwellCheck provides detailed safety data including NYPD crime statistics, arrest data, and 311 complaints. Check the Jackson Heights safety page for full details.
2What is the average rent in Jackson Heights?
Rents in Jackson Heights, 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 Jackson Heights?
Jackson Heights has a commute score of 5/10. 3 subway stations serve the area: Junction Blvd, 90 St-Elmhurst Av, 82 St-Jackson Hts.
4What are the best streets in Jackson Heights?
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 Jackson Heights?
6.4 (median), with an interquartile range of 6.0–6.8. This score is driven by exceptional Practical amenities (9) and strong Outdoor access (6.7), offset by low Financial and Investment scores (both 5.0, neutral) and below-median Livability (4.8).
6Is Jackson Heights safe?
No. Safety percentile ranks at 18% (bottom of borough), with 3,950 crimes recorded in the past 12 months and a crime trend worsening by 195%. Noise complaints (7,462, Very High) also indicate high-activity conditions. Police presence and enforcement activity are elevated.
7How green is Jackson Heights?
Very green. You'll find an average of 179 trees within 200 meters of any address, with a canopy density of 9.5/10—among the highest in Queens. Five parks (Travers, LaGuardia Landing Lights, Northern Playground, Louis C. Moser, Playground Ninety) sit within 491 meters on average.
8What's the building stock like?
Mid-rise dominant (81% of 343 tracked buildings), with 16% walk-ups and 3% high-rise. This creates a consistent 6–12 story urban block structure with street-level retail and ground-floor activity.
9How many subway lines serve Jackson Heights?
One primary line: the 7 (in red). It stops at three stations in or near the neighborhood—Junction Boulevard, 90th Street–Elmhurst Avenue, and 82nd Street–Jackson Heights—providing redundant access to Manhattan and eastern Queens.