Upper East Side, Upper East Side NY — neighborhood review

Upper East Side, NY

Upper East Side · New York County · NY 10021

Updated August 8, 2026 · Would You Live There?

Settle here

Verdict

$1.4M

Median Price

43/100

Walk Score

9/10

Schools

7 min

to Midtown Manhattan

Score Breakdown

FAffordability
28/100
BSafety
78/100
ASchools
90/100
CQuietness
60/100
ACommute
100/100
DWalkability
43/100
WYLT Score67/100

Our Take

Upper East Side is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Manhattan: walkable, transit‑ready, with top schools and plenty of dining. It’s expensive and noisy at times, but if you can afford the costs and don’t mind the high taxes, it’s worth the investment.

B.

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The Good

  • ✓Extremely walkable with abundant shops and cafes
  • ✓Excellent transit and a 7‑minute commute to Midtown
  • ✓Prestigious schools and family‑friendly amenities
  • ✓Luxury real estate and high‑quality services

Real Talk

  • !Housing prices and rents are sky‑high; median rent is $2,754/mo
  • !Property taxes and condo fees add substantial ongoing costs
  • !Noise from traffic on 5th Avenue and high foot traffic can reduce quietness
  • !Limited parking and high demand make owning a car expensive and inconvenient
  • $Annual property taxes (~1.5% of home value)
  • $Monthly condo maintenance fees (often $2,000+)
  • $High cost of utilities and insurance

Best For

affluent familiesyoung professionalsstudents near collegesretirees seeking luxury

Risk Snapshot

Flood riskLow
Violent crimeLow
Property crimeModerate
Air qualityModerate
Price volatilityModerate

Crime & Safety

Upper East Side, NY

B

Safety grade

Safety score78 / 100
High riskVery safe
⚠️Violent Crime
Low
1.6incidents / 1,000 residents / yr
0Natl avg (3.7)11+

57% safer than the national average

🔒Property Crime
Moderate
19.8incidents / 1,000 residents / yr
0Natl avg (19.5)59+

2% higher than the national average

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From Residents

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