VibeLoco
Open the map

Is Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill safe?

Manhattan, New York · safety score updated nightly

94out of 100

Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.

VibeLoco rates Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill as “Go”.

What makes up this score?

Recent news

Gogo's take on Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill

“Go. Carnegie Hill is one of the safest, most affluent residential enclaves in New York City, featuring world-class museums, historic architecture, and peaceful tree-lined streets. Violent crime is exceptionally rare, and visitors can explore comfortably at almost any hour with standard city awareness.”

About the area

Situated on the Upper East Side bordering Central Park, Carnegie Hill is celebrated for its historic mansions, Museum Mile cultural institutions, and refined residential charm. It offers a tranquil, upscale atmosphere with charming neighborhood bistros, bookstores, and quiet brownstone-lined blocks.

  • Historic / Tree-Lined
  • Affluent & Quiet
  • Museum Mile
  • Family-Friendly

Walking and biking in Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill

Walk score: 99/100 · Bike score: 88/100

Citi Bike docking stations are available throughout the neighborhood, providing direct connections to the Central Park loop drive and the East River Greenway.

Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice

Pros

  • Consistently ranks among the lowest violent crime rates in New York City (NYPD 19th Precinct).
  • Extremely strong economic fundamentals with median household incomes well over $180,000 and low poverty.
  • Immediate access to Central Park and world-renowned cultural institutions along Museum Mile.

Cons

  • Commercial avenues (particularly Lexington Ave) experience occasional property crimes such as shoplifting and phone snatching.
  • Quiet residential side streets become very deserted late at night.
  • Subway stations are clustered on Lexington and Second Avenues, requiring a multi-block walk from Fifth Avenue.

Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in Carnegie Hill, with occasional individuals panhandling near subway entrances along 86th and 96th Streets on Lexington Avenue. There are no major encampments within the residential core.

What Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill is like at each time of day

Morning · 5a – 11a
Lively and exceptionally safe with joggers heading toward Central Park and families walking children to local schools.
Afternoon · 11a – 5p
Vibrant and secure with museum-goers, dog walkers, and shoppers patronizing boutiques and cafes along Madison and Lexington Avenues.
Evening · 5p – 10p
Calm and peaceful as neighborhood dining rooms fill up; residential streets remain well-lit and comfortable for pedestrians.
Late night · 10p – 5a
Very quiet and primarily residential; walking remains safe, though the light foot traffic warrants basic situational awareness.

Transit, parking and getting around

The MTA provides subway service via the 4, 5, and 6 trains at the 86th St station and the 6 train at 96th St, supplemented by the Q train along 2nd Avenue and frequent M1, M2, M3, and M4 bus routes on 5th and Madison Avenues.

Street parking is notoriously difficult due to dense residential demand and strict alternate-side parking regulations; several commercial parking garages operate nearby, typically charging $45 to $75 per day.

Things to do in Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill

  • Explore world-renowned modern and contemporary masterworks inside Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural icon, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
  • Take a scenic jog or leisurely walk around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park.
  • Discover historical and contemporary design exhibitions at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

Local favorites

  • Sarabeth's East Side · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (1950)
    Long-running neighborhood staple renowned for classic brunch dishes and artisanal baked goods.
  • Sfoglia · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (420)
    Intimate rustic trattoria celebrated for seasonal handmade pastas and refined Italian classics.
  • The Corner Bookstore · Bookstore · 4.8★ (290)
    Charming, well-curated independent neighborhood bookstore serving the community since 1978.

Neighborhoods near Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill

More: all Manhattan neighborhoods · safest neighborhoods in New York

Common questions about Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill

Is Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill safe to walk at night?

Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.

Is Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill a good place to live?

On safety, Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill 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 Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill?

Walk score 99/100 and bike score 88/100. Most errands can be done on foot.

Which areas near Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill are safer?

Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill scores as high as or higher than its closest neighbors.

Add this score to your site

Writing about Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.