Side-by-side safety comparison for two of NYC’s most popular neighborhoods. Which is safer for renters in 2026?
Updated March 25, 2026
| Lower East Side Manhattan |
Upper West Side Manhattan |
|
|---|---|---|
| Safety Grade | B | A |
| 30-Day Incidents | 5 | 1 |
| Violent Crime | 1 | 0 |
| Robbery | 1 | 1 |
| Drug Activity | 1 | 0 |
Upper West Side is currently safer with 1 incidents vs 5 in Lower East Side. Safety grades: Lower East Side (B) vs Upper West Side (A).
Upper West Side currently has fewer incidents (1 vs 5 in the last 30 days) and a A safety grade.
Lower East Side: 1 violent incidents. Upper West Side: 0. These counts reflect the last 30 days.