Is Great Kills Safe? Staten Island Livability, Crime & Rent
Great Kills scores a median 6.5—a solid neighborhood for tree-seeking families who drive, but recent crime increases and transit limitations temper appeal for those prioritizing walkability or frequent Manhattan commutes.
Is Great Kills Safe?
Great Kills, Staten Island scores 6.5/10 for overall livability, ranking #3 of 6 Staten Island neighborhoods. Great Kills scores a median 6.5—a solid neighborhood for tree-seeking families who drive, but recent crime increases and transit limitations temper appeal for those prioritizing walkability or frequent Manhattan commutes.
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 Great Kills address below for a block-level breakdown.
Score Overview
Vertical line = borough median. Scale: 0-10.
Neighborhood Character
Great Kills is a residential waterfront neighborhood where you'll find tree-lined streets—averaging 133 trees within a 200-meter radius with a canopy density of 9.5/10—and a quiet, suburban feel anchored by marina access and beach proximity. You'll have five parks within roughly a kilometer, including the namesake Great Kills Park and the specialized Seaside Wildlife Nature Park, making outdoor recreation genuinely accessible. The building stock splits evenly between walk-ups and mid-rise structures, creating a mixed but predominantly low-rise residential character. Transit connections via the Staten Island Railway (Great Kills and Eltingville stations) provide your main link out, though commute scores reflect the reality of crossing water to reach Manhattan.
Analysis based on 4 properties scored across 30+ data points
Livability & Restoration
Tree Canopy
133 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
King Fisher Park
Avg 1047m away | Score: 2.1/10
Living within 300m of green space associated with 30% fewer antidepressant prescriptions (Taylor et al., 2015)
Acoustic Quality
5/10
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: 2.5/10
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
133
Within 200m radius
Canopy Density
9.5/10
Normalized canopy coverage
Park Network
- King Fisher Park
- Siedenburg Park
- Seaside Wildlife Nature Park
- Wegener Park
- Greencroft Playground
Avg distance: 1047m
Practical Living
Building Types
Who Great Kills Is For
Car-dependent families seeking green space
Practical score of 9 (borough median: 5.5) indicates strong neighborhood essentials; ART/Livability at 7.3 suggests park access and tree coverage support residential comfort
Outdoor enthusiasts with patience for transit
Five named parks within ~1km (King Fisher, Siedenburg, Seaside Wildlife, Wegener, Greencroft) and marina/beach access make this appealing despite commute score of 5
Those prioritizing safety over urban walkability
Safety percentile of 66% in borough is higher; low rodent complaints (140) signal maintenance standards, though commute score of 5 and outdoor score of 4.2 show trade-offs
Pros & Cons
Strengths
Abundant tree canopy and park proximity
133 trees avg within 200m; 9.5/10 canopy density; five parks within ~1km including Great Kills Park and Seaside Wildlife Nature Park
Strong practical neighborhood essentials
Practical score of 9, significantly above borough median of 5.5, reflects reliable access to stores, services, and daily conveniences
Above-average safety standing
Safety verdict is higher at 66th percentile in borough; low rodent complaints (140) suggest well-maintained residential conditions
Waterfront amenities and beach access
Marina access and beach proximity are documented existing highlights of the neighborhood character
Trade-offs
Significantly elevated noise complaints
1,088 noise complaints recorded, flagged as Very High—notably above typical borough patterns
Worsening crime trend
Crime trend shows +191.8% increase over 12 months; total crimes at 823 despite higher safety percentile suggests recent deterioration
Weak commute accessibility
Commute score of 5 (borough median: 2.5) reflects reliance on Staten Island Railway with limited frequency and cross-water travel to Manhattan
Limited outdoor recreation score
Outdoor score of 4.2 falls below borough median of 6, suggesting constraints beyond park proximity (likely weather, trail density, or water access)
Score Any Address in Great Kills
Get detailed livability scores based on building health, transit access, safety, noise levels, and 15+ NYC data sources.
Search an Address in Great KillsFrequently Asked Questions about Great Kills
1Is Great Kills safe?
Great Kills safety varies by block. DwellCheck provides detailed safety data including NYPD crime statistics, arrest data, and 311 complaints. Check the Great Kills safety page for full details.
2What is the average rent in Great Kills?
Rents in Great Kills, Staten Island vary significantly by building and apartment type. The median listing price is $0. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses.
3How is transit access in Great Kills?
Great Kills has a commute score of 5/10. 2 subway stations serve the area: Great Kills, Eltingville.
4What are the best streets in Great Kills?
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 Great Kills?
The median composite score is 6.5 (interquartile range 6.1–6.9). Practical essentials score highest at 9, while commute and outdoor recreation lag at 5 and 4.2 respectively.
6How safe is Great Kills compared to the rest of Staten Island?
Great Kills ranks at the 66th percentile for safety in the borough—higher than average. However, the crime trend shows a +191.8% increase over 12 months, indicating recent deterioration despite the current standing.
7What is the noise situation like?
You'll encounter 1,088 noise complaints, flagged as Very High. This is a notable outlier and suggests regular disturbances beyond typical Staten Island patterns.
8How much tree coverage does the neighborhood have?
Great Kills averages 133 trees within 200 meters with a canopy density of 9.5/10—among the best in the borough and a major amenity for residents.
9What are my transit options?
Two Staten Island Railway stations serve the area: Great Kills and Eltingville. The commute score of 5 reflects limited frequency and the need to cross water to reach Manhattan, making a car nearly essential.