Side-by-side safety comparison for two of NYC’s most popular neighborhoods. Which is safer for renters in 2026?
Updated June 27, 2026
| Upper West Side Manhattan |
Upper East Side Manhattan |
|
|---|---|---|
| Safety Grade | B | A |
| 30-Day Incidents | 186 | 178 |
| Violent Crime | 14 | 1 |
| Robbery | 10 | 5 |
| Drug Activity | 0 | 0 |
Upper East Side is currently safer with 178 incidents vs 186 in Upper West Side. Safety grades: Upper West Side (B) vs Upper East Side (A).
Upper East Side currently has fewer incidents (178 vs 186 in the last 30 days) and a A safety grade.
Upper West Side: 14 violent incidents. Upper East Side: 1. These counts reflect the last 30 days.