Side-by-side safety comparison for two of NYC’s most popular neighborhoods. Which is safer for renters in 2026?
Updated August 12, 2026
| Lower East Side Manhattan |
Upper West Side Manhattan |
|
|---|---|---|
| Safety Grade | C | B |
| 30-Day Incidents | 155 | 150 |
| Violent Crime | 17 | 9 |
| Robbery | 17 | 7 |
| Drug Activity | 0 | 2 |
Upper West Side is currently safer with 150 incidents vs 155 in Lower East Side. Safety grades: Lower East Side (C) vs Upper West Side (B).
Upper West Side currently has fewer incidents (150 vs 155 in the last 30 days) and a B safety grade.
Lower East Side: 17 violent incidents. Upper West Side: 9. These counts reflect the last 30 days.