10 Worst, Poorest, and Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in New York City

Published on January 23, 2017 at 4:51 am by Amber Hewitt in Lists

If you clicked on this article because you expected our list of the 10 worst, poorest, and most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City to be racist and classist, you’re wrong. What we’ve done for this is aggregate three separate lists, as worst, poorest, and most dangerous don’t necessarily overlap, and it would be wrong to say the worst neighborhoods are poor and/or dangerous.

The idea that poorer neighborhoods are intrinsically more dangerous is a racist ideology and doesn’t belong here. This also applies to connecting the words “worst” and “poorest.” Worst can mean a variety of things. New York City has been named one of the safest large cities in the world. But of course there are areas that have crime, much like other cities. Another “problem” most areas in New York are facing is, of course, traffic. So, if you are living in New York and are sick of traffic and spending money on expensive taxis take a look at our article on Uber, Lyft, Gett, Juno, Via: Best NYC Taxi Alternatives!

Back on our main topic – if you do a search for the worst neighborhoods in NYC, you’ll likely get results that associate the worst places with the most dangerous, but this is a viewpoint we don’t completely agree with. Amenities and commuting are the aspects that are incredibly important in a New York neighborhood; therefore, those are the criteria we searched for primarily.We also used cost of living and average rent price. We sourced this data from Area Vibes.

For the list of poorest neighborhoods, we searched for the ones with the lowest median income. As for the most dangerous neighborhoods, we took a look at the crime per capita index. The higher the crime rate, the higher the neighborhood will rank. We did not factor these two aspects into determining the worst neighborhoods because it would reflect negatively.

While the neighborhoods mentioned may seem like they’re beneath you, especially to those who want to move to NYC and have a dream apartment, they have plenty of positive qualities.

Keep on reading for our three lists of worst, poorest, and most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City:

10 Poorest Neighbourhoods in New York City

10. East Harlem, Manhattan

Average household median income: $38,845

While East Harlem has long had the reputation of being among the poorest neighborhoods in New York City, its place at the bottom of our list shows that the area is onto some major improvements. The household median income is below average, and the cost of living index is 11 percent higher than the average, but some of this is due to it being in New York where it is intrinsically more expensive to live.

10 Worst, Poorest, and Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in New York City

9. Chinatown, Manhattan

Average household median income: $38,833

We are continuing our list of worst, poorest, and most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City with Chinatown that is located where the sky-high buildings are. It is an up and coming neighborhood full of culture. Its average household income being below the average and high cost of living puts it on this list, though.

10 Worst, Poorest, and Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in New York City

8. Little Italy, Manhattan

Average household median income: $34,568

The cost of living in Little Italy is a bit lower than most of the city, but the fact that households earn less than those places puts it on our list of poorest neighborhoods. The low household income doesn’t sit well with the average property tax rates, which can go as high as $872.

7. Port Morris, Bronx

Average household median income: $33,450

A low income and a high cost of living is a recipe for a poor neighborhood. It’s the pattern put in place by all the neighborhoods on our list. Most people rent apartments in this area because of the high cost of living and also because the annual property tax rate can go as high as $1,730. Let’s se what is next on the list of worst, poorest, and most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City.

6. Bedford Park, Bronx

Average household median income: $32,746

Not only is the income low here, the cost of living is 19 percent higher than the national average. Bedford Park has been recorded to have annual property tax rates that can soar as much as $2,615. To try to balance this out, though, the sales tax rate is a mere 4 percent.

5. Brownsville, Brooklyn

Average household median income: $27,861

We are continuing our list of worst, poorest, and most dangerous neighborhoods with Brownsville. The cost of living in this neighborhood is a whopping 27 percent higher than the national average. Despite this, though, the population here is about 55,412.

4. Hunts Point, Bronx

Average household median income: $25,529

The cost of living here is 26 percent higher than the national average, and people make much less than in many areas. The high cost of living makes it harder for residents to purchase a home, which is proven by the fact that 92 percent of households are occupied by renters.

3. Mott Haven, Bronx

Average household median income: $24,452

The average annual property tax in this area can be as much as $1,138, which is extreme for a neighborhood that has an average household income much lower than average.

2. Morrisania, Bronx

Average household median income: $24,052

The cost of living index in Morrisania is 21 percent higher than the national average and the income is lower than many. Residents make it work, as the population is around 14,175. On the positive side, rental rates in this area do tend to be lower than in others.

1. Coney Island, Brooklyn

Average household median income: $23,108

It’s surprising to see Coney Island on this list until you see that the average income is much lower than average and the cost of living is 23 percent above average. The average annual property tax soars to $2,701, which proves why it has topped the list of the poorest neighborhoods in NYC.

10 Worst, Poorest, and Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in New York City

10 Most Dangerous Neighbourhoods in New York City

10. Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, Dumbo

Ranked 60/69 safest for all crimes

This might come as a surprise to many, but the seemingly safe suburbs of Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo plus Boerum Hill might not be as safe as they seem. The arrival of new residents in the area could be the reason why there had been a radical change in the neighborhood. According to DNA Info’s Crime & Safety Report, the neighborhood has a record of 63 violent crimes per 10,000 residents. In terms of property crime rates, this area recorded a total of 142 crimes per 10,000 residents.

9. Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen

Ranked 61/69 safest for all crimes

The name itself is a giveaway for its history. Hell’s Kitchen, one of the worst, poorest, and most dangerous neighborhoods was once the home of a violent gang. However, it should be noted that NYC newbies now call the neighborhood Clinton in an attempt to change the reputation of the area. Then again, the crime statistics posed by both here and Chelsea, which is now known to have high drug usage in the vicinity, and Hell’s Kitchen still keep the negative image strong. Despite the fact that car thefts have lessened by 42 percent from 92 percent, the area is still one of the dangerous ones, with a crime rate of 209 violent crimes per 10,000 residents.

10 Worst, Poorest, and Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in New York City

8. Bedford-Stuyvesant

Ranked 62/69 safest for all crimes

You might have heard of its nickname “Do or Die” Bed-Stuy. The neighborhood was the ultimate epitome of violence back in the 1980s, and may still be living to its legacy to this day. Its overall crime rates have increased up to 6 percent, with a crime rate of 212 violent crimes per 10,000 residents. Robberies, rapes, and felony assault incidences in the area continue to rise, which worries both old and new residents.

7. Downtown

Ranked 63/69 safest for all crimes

Downtown used to be one of the best neighborhoods in NYC until September 11. The tragedy has taken its toll in the area, which brought about heaps of changes in the entire neighborhood. What used to be office buildings have been turned into apartments, strip clubs now turned into classy restaurants and boutiques. The crime rates in Downtown have looked better these past few years, as major crimes have fallen 79 percent. However, because the neighborhood has a low population, it scored high enough in property crime rates, where it got 191 per 10,000 residents.

6. Fort Greene and Clinton Hill

Ranked 64/69 safest for all crimes

For so many years, these areas have endured the reputation of being dangerous neighborhoods. There have been serious attempts in gentrification to try to “improve” the quality of life and erase crimes, but it was not very successful. Low population, public housing developments, and serious crime rates that keep soaring could all be blamed for their low ranking when it comes to safety. They hold a record of 223 major crimes per 10,000 residents.

5. Flatiron and Gramercy

Ranked 65/69 safest for all crimes

This might be a surprise, as most people see these areas to be ideal locations for both commercial and residential purposes. Known to many as an affluent side of the city, property crimes are mostly to blame for why they are part of this list. Because thieves know that wealthy people usually make up the population of these districts, they tend to attack homes in these locations. Grand larceny rates are at 158 per 10,000 residents. Also, incidents of burglary are higher than average. Murder rates rose a little as well.

10 Worst, Poorest, and Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in New York City

4. Brownsville

Ranked 66/69 safest for all crimes

DNA Info’s Crime and Safety Report has dubbed Brownsville as the murder capital of New York. It has the most number of murder incidents in the entire city—an alarming rate of 31 murder incidents per 10,000 residents. Brownsville also has a record of having 10 shooting events per 10,000 residents. Even so, it has to be noted that murders, robberies, and car thefts have all dwindled down since 2010, which explains this ranking in the 10 most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City.

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3. Hunts Point

Ranked 67/69 safest for all crimes

For the longest time, Hunts Point had to work hard to veer away from its reputation of being home to prostitutes. The city made extra efforts, like gentrification, which all resulted in lesser crime rates. However, because rape incidents continue being a challenge to this area, they still ranked very low in the safety index. With a recorded 135 serious crime incidents per 10,000 residents, as well as arrests in rape cases increasing over five times, it is no surprise that this neighborhood ranked high in danger.

2. Greenwich Village and Meatpacking District

Ranked 68/69 safest for all crimes

You might think this one is a mistake, as we know of these areas to be one of the most ideal locations in New York City. The Meatpacking District was up-and-coming during the time of Sex and the City. Tree lined streets with beautiful homes that cost a fortune, plus wealthy residents make them very attractive to thieves. Car thefts soared from 18 percent to 45 percent, and rape has been quite a concern lately as well.

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1. Midtown

Ranked 69/69 safest for all crimes

Perhaps one of the most demographically diverse neighborhoods in New York City, Midtown’s crime rates reach as high as 723 major crimes per 10,000 residents. There are so many people in this area constantly that the crime rate tends to be higher. Tourists usually flock at this part of New York City, and people from all walks of life seem to be fond of the area, which could both be blamed for its ranking as the most dangerous NYC neighborhood.

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10 Worst Neighbourhoods in New York City

10. Jamaica

Cost of Living: 155 (National Average is 100)

Rent Rates: $1,233

Amenities: Grocery shops, theaters, libraries, restaurants, shopping centers, gyms, parks, schools

Jamaica might not be so bad at all, although it’s on the list of worst, poorest, and most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City. Wait when you see how many amenities you can enjoy if you ever decide to live in the area. There are schools around the corner, but those schools are referred to as mediocre ones when you compare them with the rest of the schools in the city. Rent costs are very expensive, and it is not even in the center of the city.

9. East Brooklyn

Cost of Living: 151 (National Average is 100)

Rent rates: $1,151

Amenities: Groceries, shopping centers, restaurants, public transits, libraries, schools

According to Area Vibes, “the median home price in East Brooklyn is 100 percent higher than the national average.” Pretty expensive for a one of a worst, poorest, and most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City, right? This explains why more people rent than own a home in the neighborhood. While their cost of living is below the average in New York, their median household income is only $37,423 against the state’s average of $52,737.

8. East Harlem

Cost of Living: 126 (National Average is 100)

Rent rates: $824

Amenities: Schools, restaurants, groceries, gyms, coffee shops, public transits, shopping centers

Being located near where the fun begins sure has its perks. Living in East Harlem, in one of the worst, poorest, and most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City, will give you less public transit problems, and amenities are simply abound in the area. The neighborhood does, though, boast a low cost of living and low rent rates. Crime is an issue here, as it has a safety rank of 44 out of 69. The city has indeed exerted efforts to bring change to this area, but crime rates remain high. It also has to be noted that the median household income is part of the problem. East Harlem’s median household income is at $29,215, as relatively low when you compare it to the average of $52,737.

7. Brownsville

Cost of Living: 137 (National Average is 100)

Rent rates: $1,002

Amenities: Groceries, schools, public transits, coffee shops, libraries, shopping centres

Most of Brownsville’s credentials look promising to make it one of the best NYC neighborhoods. However, its reputation of being the murder capital of New York still sends the alarming notion to locals and tourists. No wonder it’s on the list of worst, poorest, and most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City. Their median household income is moderate, sitting at $41,391 as compared to the average of $52,737.

6. Washington Heights

Cost of Living: 122 (National Average is 100)

Rent rates: $1,102

Amenities: Groceries, schools, public transits, coffee shops, libraries, shopping centers, public transits

We are coninuing our list of worst, poorest, and most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City with Washington Heights that is conveniently located in Manhattan and the average rent cost is on the lower end, but it’s quite far from the city and many residents struggle with housing.

5. Bedford Park

Cost of Living: 117

Rent rates: $1,138

Amenities: Groceries, schools, public transits, coffee shops, libraries, shopping centers, public transits

Amenities exist in Bedford Park, but some are quite far away. Unlike in more ideal NYC neighborhoods when you can just take short walks in streets lined with restaurants and cafes, this area has them pretty scattered. Cost of living might be lower than most of New York, but their median household income stays at a low $36,774.

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4. South Bronx

Cost of living: 120 (National Average is 100)

Rent rates: $858

Amenities: Groceries, schools, public transits, coffee shops, libraries, shopping centers, public transits

Like Bedford Park, South Bronx, our number 4 on the list of worst, poorest, and most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City, has its many amenities scattered around the entire neighborhood. Yes, the cost of living and rent rates are low, but when you see their median household income that is only at $26,216, those digits still look expensive. Amenities might be considered to be an advantage in the area, but because of how high commodities can be, there might not be so many opportunities to really enjoy them.

3. Hunts Point

Cost of Living: 111 (National Average is 100)

Rent rates: $672

Amenities: Groceries, schools, public transits, coffee shops, libraries, shopping centers, public transits

Hunts Point, one of the worst, poorest, and most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City, has been known as the area where it is cheapest to rent, see the rates above. But when you ask around the neighborhood about the quality of life in there, you might not get as many favorable responses. There are lots of amenities you can enjoy, although you might need a cab to see them all, as they’re in different parts of the area. Theirs is also one of the lowest median household incomes in the city, $26,487, as compared to the average of $52,737.

2. Mott Haven

Cost of Living: 117 (National Average is 100)

Rent rates: $726

Amenities: Groceries, schools, public transits, coffee shops, libraries, shopping centers, public transits

In terms of amenities, Mott Haven has practically anything you need in a neighborhood. There are restaurants, grocery shops, and public transits. They’re spread out quite a bit, though. Its cost of living and rent rates are a bit higher than Hunts Point. That is why it ranked higher on our list of worst, poorest, and most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City. Also, it has a very low median household income of just $23,821.

1. Fordham

Cost of Living: 113

Rent rates: $1,106

Amenities: Groceries, schools, public transits, coffee shops, libraries, shopping centers, public transits

Many would likely agree that the worst neighborhood is somewhere cost of living is high while household income stays low. That is exactly what Fordham residents have to endure. Rent rates look reasonable when you first see them, but when you realize that the median household income in the area is just $26,050, you know it isn’t favorable.

There you have it — the 10 worst, poorest, and most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City. Of course, not all neighborhoods fit every category, as evidenced above. What do you think of these picks?