Is Kew Gardens Safe? Queens Livability, Crime & Rent
Kew Gardens scores 6.3 composite—a tree-rich, service-dense neighborhood with notable commute friction and rising crime concerns.
Is Kew Gardens Safe?
Kew Gardens, Queens scores 6.3/10 for overall livability, ranking #6 of 11 Queens neighborhoods. Kew Gardens scores 6.3 composite—a tree-rich, service-dense neighborhood with notable commute friction and rising crime concerns.
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 Kew Gardens address below for a block-level breakdown.
Score Overview
Vertical line = borough median. Scale: 0-10.
Neighborhood Character
Kew Gardens reads as a tree-dense, architecturally distinct neighborhood anchored by its village center and proximity to Forest Park. You'll find an average of 97 trees within 200 meters of any address, with a canopy density of 9.5/10—among the greenest pockets in Queens. The built environment is predominantly mid-rise (67%), mixed with walk-ups, and characterized by Tudor Revival and period homes that give the neighborhood visual consistency. Three parks anchor the area: Maple Grove Park, Eight Oaks Triangle, and Metro Triangle, each within roughly 472 meters of residents. The E and F trains serve the neighborhood via Briarwood station, though commute times run longer than borough averages.
Analysis based on 3 properties scored across 30+ data points
Livability & Restoration
Tree Canopy
97 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
Maple Grove Park
Avg 472m away | Score: 2.6/10
Living within 300m of green space associated with 30% fewer antidepressant prescriptions (Taylor et al., 2015)
Acoustic Quality
6/10
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
3.5/10
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
97
Within 200m radius
Canopy Density
9.5/10
Normalized canopy coverage
Park Network
- Maple Grove Park
- Eight Oaks Triangle
- Metro Triangle
Avg distance: 472m
Practical Living
Building Types
Who Kew Gardens Is For
Green-space prioritizers
Canopy density of 9.5/10 and 97 average trees per 200m radius place this among Queens's most tree-rich neighborhoods; ART/Livability score of 6.8 reflects strong outdoor amenities.
Transit-dependent professionals
E/F service via Briarwood provides reliable subway access, though commute score of 3.5 indicates longer travel times to major job centers compared to borough median of 5.5.
Neighborhood stability seekers
Strong practical score (9/10) reflects reliable services and established infrastructure; Tudor architecture and village center create cohesive streetscape appeal.
Pros & Cons
Strengths
Exceptional tree canopy and green infrastructure
97 trees within 200m radius with 9.5/10 canopy density—significantly above borough comparables
Strong neighborhood services and walkability
Practical score of 9/10, highest in the dataset; village center and Courthouse proximity support daily-need accessibility
Architectural character and visual cohesion
Tudor-style building stock and established neighborhood identity differentiate Kew Gardens from surrounding areas
Forest Park adjacency
Direct access to one of Queens's largest green spaces and recreational anchors
Trade-offs
Significantly longer commute times
Commute score of 3.5 vs. borough median of 5.5; E/F service is the primary transit option
High noise complaints
1,398 noise complaints recorded—flagged as 'Very High' and suggesting traffic, construction, or quality-of-life friction
Worsening crime trend
Total crimes over 12 months: 707, with year-over-year trend up 129.5%—significant deterioration despite average safety percentile (85th)
Limited transit redundancy
Reliance on single E/F line creates vulnerability; no alternative subway routes serve the neighborhood directly
Score Any Address in Kew Gardens
Get detailed livability scores based on building health, transit access, safety, noise levels, and 15+ NYC data sources.
Search an Address in Kew GardensFrequently Asked Questions about Kew Gardens
1Is Kew Gardens safe?
Kew Gardens safety varies by block. DwellCheck provides detailed safety data including NYPD crime statistics, arrest data, and 311 complaints. Check the Kew Gardens safety page for full details.
2What is the average rent in Kew Gardens?
Rents in Kew Gardens, 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 Kew Gardens?
Kew Gardens has a commute score of 3.5/10. 1 subway stations serve the area: Briarwood.
4What are the best streets in Kew Gardens?
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 Kew Gardens?
Median composite score is 6.3 (interquartile range 5.9–6.7). Practical amenities and livability score high (9.0 and 6.8 respectively), while commute (3.5) and financial/investment scores (both 5.0) drag the overall rating down.
6How safe is Kew Gardens?
Safety verdict is 'average' at the 85th percentile within Queens. However, total crimes over 12 months reach 707, and year-over-year crime increased 129.5%—a steep worsening trend that warrants attention.
7Is Kew Gardens good for commuting?
No—commute score of 3.5 is well below the borough median of 5.5. E/F service via Briarwood is the primary option; travel times to major job centers are longer than neighboring areas.
8What makes Kew Gardens livable day-to-day?
Strong practical score (9/10) reflects reliable neighborhood services, walkable village center, and Courthouse proximity. Exceptional tree canopy (97 trees per 200m, 9.5/10 density) and three nearby parks support outdoor living. Architectural cohesion around Tudor-style homes adds visual consistency.