Best NYC Neighborhoods: Top ZIP Scores Compared (2026 Guide)

NeighborScore’s current ZIP-level comparison places the leading covered ZIP at 94/100, the highest composite in this New York City set. The model combines FBI-derived safety/crime data and NCES school data at a 53%/47% weighting; affordability is context only, not part of the ranking.

• New York City’s leading covered ZIP in this comparison scores 94/100.
• The comparison keeps safety/crime and school results visible beside the composite score.
• Affordability is separate context, so home-price differences do not change the overall score.

Which New York City ZIP codes score highest?

The four ZIP codes below are the highest-scoring covered New York City entries in the current model. Putting both scored pillars beside the composite gives a more useful answer than a broad citywide label.

1. 1. ZIP 10021 — overall 94; safety/crime 95; schools 93.
2. 2. ZIP 10023 — overall 92; safety/crime 95; schools 88.
3. 3. ZIP 10024 — overall 92; safety/crime 95; schools 88.
4. 4. ZIP 10065 — overall 92; safety/crime 95; schools 89.

A score in the Excellent band is 85 or higher; Good is 70–84. The component split matters because ZIPs can finish near one another overall through different safety/crime and school inputs.

The ranking is deliberately limited to ZIPs covered by the platform. It does not claim to identify every neighborhood in the city, and it should not be extended to an unlisted area.

How the New York City neighborhood score is calculated

NeighborScore is a relative comparison, not a forecast. Its composite weights the safety/crime pillar at 53% and the school pillar at 47%; affordability is displayed separately and does not affect the composite. Read the full data sources and scoring methodology before treating a ZIP result as one input in a real-world decision.

The safety/crime pillar is informed by FBI Crime Data Explorer reporting and, where available, higher-resolution public incident data. The school pillar uses public NCES school data data, including the assessment-proficiency inputs described in the methodology. Those inputs are normalized against peers, so the result is comparative rather than an absolute measure of quality.

A high composite does not convert a score into a guarantee, and a lower affordability score does not lower the composite. The separation keeps expensive ZIPs from receiving a higher neighborhood score merely because their housing market is costly.

How to use the New York City ZIP comparison

Start with the component most relevant to the decision, then inspect the individual profile rather than stopping at the headline. A reader focused on schools should compare school scores first; a reader focused on safety/crime should examine that pillar, its geographic tier, and the data-vintage note.

Then validate constraints a ZIP score does not represent: current school enrollment and program eligibility, housing condition and price, commute, and access needs. Public datasets support a consistent first comparison, but they do not replace a visit, official enrollment guidance, or qualified local advice.

For more starting points, browse the NeighborScore guides index and return to the ZIP profile links above for the specific component scores and source notes.

Bottom line: New York City ZIP scores are a starting point

The leading covered ZIP in this New York City set illustrates the useful takeaway: a transparent split behind the number. Use the ranking to narrow research, then verify the latest primary data and local conditions before deciding where to live.

Frequently asked questions

What does the NeighborScore composite measure in New York City?

The NeighborScore composite is a relative ZIP-level comparison from NeighborScore’s documented public-source model. It is not a prediction, a school assignment, an appraisal, or a personal safety recommendation; it is a transparent starting point for comparing covered ZIPs.

Why should New York City ZIP data be checked with primary sources?

The model combines datasets with different update schedules and geographic resolution. Check each profile’s data-vintage note and the linked primary sources before making a relocation, housing, or enrollment decision.

Does a higher NeighborScore composite make one New York City ZIP right for everyone?

No. A higher score or home-value figure describes the stated metric only. Commute, housing condition, school enrollment rules, accessibility, cost, and individual priorities require additional current local research.

How can I compare another New York City ZIP?

Open the relevant NeighborScore ZIP profile to see its component data and methodology notes. Compare like-for-like ZIPs, then verify any current local condition through the official source responsible for that information.