Is Melrose (The Bronx) safe?
The Bronx, New York · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Melrose (The Bronx) as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Melrose (The Bronx)
“Go with care. Melrose has rich cultural roots and thriving community institutions, but it experiences above-average rates of both violent and property crime. Stick to main corridors during daylight hours and maintain active situational awareness.”
About the area
Melrose is a vibrant, densely populated South Bronx neighborhood known for its grassroots community gardens, urban renewal architecture, and cultural arts spaces. While revitalized with new affordable housing developments, it remains an economically challenged area requiring vigilance from visitors.
- Bustling Urban Hub
- Culturally Rich
- Community Focused
- Dense Commercial
Walking and biking in Melrose (The Bronx)
Walk score: 96/100 · Bike score: 74/100
Citi Bike docking stations are distributed throughout the neighborhood, with on-street painted bike lanes connecting toward the Grand Concourse and South Bronx greenways.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Active street life and dense pedestrian traffic along main commercial avenues during business hours
- Substantial recent investment in high-quality affordable housing and green community gardens
- Convenient transit access via Metro-North and multiple subway lines connecting quickly to Manhattan
Cons
- Violent crime and robbery rates remain well above city and national medians according to NYPD precinct data
- High local poverty rate exceeding 30%, with significant economic strain
- Frequent reports of petty theft, package theft, and vehicle break-ins on residential side streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness and street loitering are moderately prevalent, clustering mostly around major subway station entrances, under Metro-North overpasses, and near commercial hubs along 149th Street.
What Melrose (The Bronx) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Streets are lively with school children, commuters, and opening bodegas; generally comfortable for walking along primary avenues.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy commercial activity along 3rd Avenue and 149th Street with high foot traffic, though crowds require normal urban alertness.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pedestrian counts drop after retail shops close; stick to well-lit main thoroughfares and avoid deserted residential blocks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Safety risks increase noticeably with elevated chances of street robbery and harassment; walking alone is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
MTA provides comprehensive access via the Melrose Metro-North station (Harlem Line) and nearby subway stations at 3rd Ave-149th St (2, 5 trains) and 149th St-Grand Concourse (2, 4, 5 trains), supplemented by major bus routes including the Bx2, Bx15, Bx19, and Bx41 SBS.
Street parking is notoriously difficult due to high density and street-cleaning regulations; limited commercial parking garages exist along 149th Street and cost around $20 to $35 per day.
Things to do in Melrose (The Bronx)
- Visit the Bronx Documentary Center to view world-class documentary photography and community exhibits
- Tour the network of vibrant community gardens such as the Jardin de la Roca and Rainbow Garden of Life and Health
- Explore the historic architecture of the Bronx Borough Courthouse and surrounding civic plazas
Local favorites
- Bronx Documentary Center · Art Gallery & Community Center · 4.8★ (320)A non-profit gallery and educational space dedicated to socially conscious photography and film.
- Hungry Bird · Indian Restaurant · 4.4★ (460)Popular local eatery serving classic North and South Indian curries, biryanis, and tandoori specials.
- Xochimilco Family Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (380)A neighborhood favorite known for generous portions of authentic Pueblan Mexican cuisine.
Neighborhoods near Melrose (The Bronx)
Common questions about Melrose (The Bronx)
Is Melrose (The Bronx) safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Melrose (The Bronx) a good place to live?
On safety, Melrose (The Bronx) scores 54/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Melrose (The Bronx)?
Walk score 96/100 and bike score 74/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Melrose (The Bronx) are safer?
Melrose (The Bronx) scores as high as or higher than its closest neighbors.
Add this score to your site
Writing about Melrose (The Bronx)? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.