Is Purchase safe?
Harrison, New York · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Purchase as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Purchase
“Go. Purchase is an exceptionally safe, wealthy hamlet in Westchester County characterized by sprawling residential estates, corporate headquarters, and college campuses. Visitors will encounter virtually no street crime, making personal safety a non-issue during any visit.”
About the area
Purchase is an affluent, semi-rural community within the town of Harrison, home to corporate giants like Mastercard, SUNY Purchase, and Manhattanville University. Its rolling green landscapes, performing arts venues, and private country clubs offer a quiet and distinguished suburban atmosphere.
- Affluent Suburban
- Quiet / Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
- Collegiate
Walking and biking in Purchase
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 25/100
There is no municipal bike-share system, and narrow country roads lack dedicated bike lanes, making cycling primarily recreational on campus paths.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime and property crime rates are among the lowest in the nation
- Median household income well exceeds $200,000 with exceptionally high homeownership
- Active campus security and Westchester County/Harrison police presence throughout the area
Cons
- Almost completely car-dependent with minimal pedestrian infrastructure
- Isolated country roads lack streetlights and sidewalks for walking after dark
- Very few public commercial districts within walking distance
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Purchase, with no encampments or panhandling present in the community.
What Purchase is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with corporate commuters and students arriving; completely safe to move about.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm atmosphere with low traffic on residential lanes and bustling activity around college facilities.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding roads; very safe, though darkness and lack of sidewalks make driving preferable.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low crime and tranquil, but pitch-black roads necessitate vehicle transport rather than walking.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is managed by Westchester County Bee-Line Bus (Routes 12 and 13 serve the campuses and airport), but there is no direct rail station in Purchase; Metro-North Railroad stations at White Plains or Harrison are a 10-to-15 minute drive away.
Free or permit-based surface lot parking is abundant at corporate parks and campuses, though street parking on narrow residential roads is generally restricted.
Things to do in Purchase
- Explore modern outdoor sculptures at the Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens at PepsiCo HQ
- Catch a theater, dance, or music performance at The Performing Arts Center at SUNY Purchase
- View contemporary exhibitions at the Neuberger Museum of Art
Local favorites
- The Neuberger Museum of Art · Art Museum · 4.6★ (120)Renowned university museum showcasing modern, contemporary, and African art collections.
- Trattoria Vivolo · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (380)Charming nearby dining spot set in a vintage diner serving classic regional Italian cuisine.
- The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College · Performing Arts Center · 4.7★ (410)Four-theater complex hosting world-class classical, dance, and theatrical productions.
Neighborhoods near Purchase
Common questions about Purchase
Is Purchase safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Purchase a good place to live?
On safety, Purchase scores 94/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Purchase?
Walk score 18/100 and bike score 25/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Purchase are safer?
Purchase scores as high as or higher than its closest neighbors.
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