Chinatown vs Lower East Side: Safety Comparison

Side-by-side safety comparison for two of NYC’s most popular neighborhoods. Which is safer for renters in 2026?

Updated August 12, 2026

	Chinatown Manhattan	Lower East Side Manhattan
Safety Grade	C	C
30-Day Incidents	231	155
Violent Crime	13	17
Robbery	17	17
Drug Activity	0	0

Verdict

Lower East Side is currently safer with 155 incidents vs 231 in Chinatown. Safety grades: Chinatown (C) vs Lower East Side (C).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chinatown or Lower East Side safer?

Lower East Side currently has fewer incidents (155 vs 231 in the last 30 days) and a C safety grade.

Which has more violent crime?

Chinatown: 13 violent incidents. Lower East Side: 17. These counts reflect the last 30 days.

Compare Other Neighborhoods

• Chinatown vs Park Slope
• Chinatown vs Williamsburg
• Chinatown vs Astoria
• Chinatown vs Crown Heights
• Chinatown vs Bushwick
• Chinatown vs Bed-Stuy
• Chinatown vs Harlem
• Chinatown vs Upper West Side