Is Cedarbrook (Philadelphia) safe?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Cedarbrook (Philadelphia) as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Cedarbrook (Philadelphia)
“Go. Cedarbrook is a stable, mostly quiet residential neighborhood in Northwest Philadelphia that presents few safety concerns for typical daytime visitors. While property crime and retail-corridor theft occasionally occur around the major avenues, the neighborhood's residential blocks are well-kept and secure.”
About the area
Cedarbrook is an uptown Philadelphia enclave characterized by tidy brick rowhouses, semi-detached twins, and large apartment complexes near the Montgomery County line. It functions primarily as a middle-class residential area with commercial shopping centers anchored along Cheltenham and Wadsworth Avenues. Visitors usually pass through for neighborhood eateries, family visits, or strip-mall retail rather than tourist landmarks.
- Quiet Residential
- Middle-Class Enclave
- Car-Dependent
- Suburban-Urban Border
Walking and biking in Cedarbrook (Philadelphia)
Walk score: 68/100 · Bike score: 52/100
Indego bike-share stations do not currently extend into Cedarbrook, and dedicated on-street bike lanes are sparse, though quiet residential streets connect fairly easily into Mount Airy.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to citywide Philadelphia averages
- Solid homeownership rates exceeding 60%, fostering stable, well-maintained residential blocks
- Median household incomes above the city median, paired with lower poverty levels than adjacent inner-city areas
- Close proximity to suburban retail and healthcare services across the Montgomery County border
Cons
- Motor vehicle theft, break-ins, and catalytic converter theft occasionally affect street parking
- Commercial strip mall corridors along Cheltenham Avenue experience occasional shoplifting and minor disturbances
- Isolated violent incidents and carjackings reported intermittently in the broader 14th Police District
- Dimly lit side streets at night and lack of active late-night foot traffic
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in Cedarbrook, with no established encampments. Minor panhandling is occasionally observed around shopping center entrances or high-traffic intersections along Cheltenham Avenue.
What Cedarbrook (Philadelphia) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm as residents commute to work and walk dogs along quiet residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active around Wadsworth and Cheltenham Avenues with school traffic and shoppers, maintaining a generally safe environment.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet on interior residential blocks with modest foot traffic near restaurants and takeout spots; standard urban awareness is advised.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets become largely deserted, and walking alone late at night is not recommended due to limited visibility and infrequent foot traffic.
Transit, parking and getting around
Operated by SEPTA, the area is served heavily by buses including routes 6, 18, 77, and H. The closest Regional Rail stations (Stenton or Mount Airy on the Chestnut Hill East Line) are roughly a 15- to 20-minute walk or a short bus ride away.
Free on-street parking is readily available throughout residential streets, though evening spaces can tighten on rowhome blocks. Shopping centers along Cheltenham Avenue offer large, free surface parking lots.
Things to do in Cedarbrook (Philadelphia)
- Sample soul food and regional comfort dishes along the Wadsworth Avenue commercial corridor
- Shop at the Cedarbrook Plaza shopping center right on the Cheltenham Avenue border
- Enjoy outdoor rec facilities and community events at the nearby Simons Recreation Center
Local favorites
- Golden Crust Pizza & Steaks · Pizza & Cheesesteaks · 4.1★ (320)Longstanding neighborhood takeout staple serving classic Philadelphia cheesesteaks, pizzas, and hoagies.
- King's Southern Style Kitchen · Soul Food · 4.3★ (410)Beloved local counter offering generous portions of fried chicken, mac and cheese, and collard greens.
- Wadsworth Deli · Deli & Convenience · 4.2★ (115)Community corner deli known for breakfast sandwiches, cold cuts, and everyday grocery essentials.
Neighborhoods near Cedarbrook (Philadelphia)
Common questions about Cedarbrook (Philadelphia)
Is Cedarbrook (Philadelphia) safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is Cedarbrook (Philadelphia) a good place to live?
On safety, Cedarbrook (Philadelphia) scores 71/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is Cedarbrook (Philadelphia)?
Walk score 68/100 and bike score 52/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Cedarbrook (Philadelphia) are safer?
Wyndmoor (90), Oak Summit (80), Mount Airy, East (78) score higher nearby.
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