Is Scarsdale Safe, Pros and cons of living in Scarsdale

Scarsdale, a village in Westchester County, New York, is recognized for its affluent community and highly-rated public school system. This suburb of New York City offers a suburban lifestyle with convenient access to urban amenities. The village is known for its well-maintained residential areas, ample green spaces, and a strong sense of community. Residents often choose Scarsdale for its excellent educational opportunities and high quality of life.

The demographic makeup of Scarsdale indicates a well-educated populace with a significant portion holding graduate degrees (58.4%) (as reported by Point2Homes). The village has a median age of 41.5 years (as reported by U.S. Census Bureau). The racial composition is predominantly White (63.8%), followed by Asian residents (20.3%) (as reported by U.S. Census Bureau). A notable percentage of residents, 25.5%, were born outside the United States (as reported by Data USA).

Is it Safe to Live in Scarsdale?

Scarsdale is considered a very safe place to live, with crime rates significantly below national averages. Violent crimes are rare, and property crimes are also considerably lower than the national benchmarks. The village’s police department actively serves the community, contributing to its secure environment.

The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Scarsdale is very low, estimated at one in 10,000 residents. Property crime rates are also exceptionally low, with a rate of 11.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 93.1% below the national average (as reported by Vertex AI Search). Scarsdale ranks in the 54th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 54% of cities, with a violent crime rate of 2.765 per 1,000 residents (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Housing and Cost of Living

Housing Market

The housing market in Scarsdale is characterized by high property values and a strong demand. The median home price in Scarsdale was $1.1 million in March 2026, though prices can vary significantly by neighborhood, with areas like East Scarsdale having median home prices around $2.5 million (as reported by Redfin). The median listing price for homes in Scarsdale is approximately $1.80 million (as reported by Realtor.com). The homeownership rate in Scarsdale is high, at 92.3% (as reported by Data USA).

Rental prices in Scarsdale are also considerably above the national average. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is approximately $2,069 per month, with two-bedroom apartments averaging around $3,049 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). Some sources indicate significantly higher average rents, with one report stating $9,000 for all property types (as reported by Zillow) and another suggesting a median rent of $5.5K per month (as reported by Realtor.com). These figures suggest a premium market for both sales and rentals.

Cost of Living

Scarsdale is known for its high cost of living, reflecting its desirable location and amenities. While specific cost of living indices are not readily available for Scarsdale directly, its proximity to New York City, which consistently ranks as one of the most expensive urban areas, suggests a similar economic environment (as reported by C2ER). The high median household income further supports the notion of a high cost of living.

The median household income in Scarsdale was $612,591 in 2024 (as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau), with a median family income also exceeding $250,000 (as reported by Niche). This high income level is necessary to sustain the cost of living associated with the area, particularly housing expenses.

Job Market and Economy

Major Employers

The economy of Scarsdale is driven by several key industries, with Finance & Insurance employing the largest number of residents (2,015 people) (as reported by Data USA). Other significant sectors include Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (1,704 people) and Health Care & Social Assistance (1,366 people) (as reported by Data USA). Major companies operating in or near Scarsdale include Curry Automotive, National Home Health Care, and Fostedale Inc. (as reported by Zippia). Retail giants like Walmart, McDonald’s, and Starbucks also have a presence in the broader region.

Salaries and Unemployment

The average annual salary in Scarsdale is approximately $51,714, with an hourly wage of about $24.86 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, other sources suggest a wide range of salaries, with some indicating an average annual pay for “Scarsdale Ny” at $29,065 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The unemployment rate in Scarsdale is very low, with an employment rate of 95.77% (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a national unemployment rate of 4.3% in April 2026 (as reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Education and Schools

School Ratings

Scarsdale is renowned for its exceptional public school system, consistently receiving high ratings. Scarsdale Senior High School, for example, has a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1, with 99% of students proficient in math and reading (as reported by Niche). The Scarsdale Union Free School District overall holds an A+ rating (as reported by Niche).

The district’s commitment to academic excellence is evident in its rigorous curriculum, which prepares students well for college. While the environment can be competitive and stressful, teachers are generally supportive and effective. Many students from Scarsdale attend Ivy League colleges, reflecting the strong academic foundation provided by the school system (as reported by Niche).

Climate and Environment

Temperatures and Rainfall

Scarsdale experiences a climate with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from 23°F to 86°F. The hottest month is July, with average highs of 84°F and lows of 67°F, while January sees the coldest temperatures, with average lows of 24°F and highs of 37°F (as reported by NASA’s MERRA-2 Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis).

The annual precipitation in Scarsdale averages around 50 inches, with approximately 33 inches of snowfall. September typically sees the most precipitation, while January has the fewest wet days (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The humidity remains comfortable during the summer months, contributing to a pleasant living environment.

Demographics

Population and Diversity

As of the most recent data, Scarsdale has a population of approximately 18,010 residents (as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau). The village is part of Westchester County and is considered a suburb of New York City. The population density is around 2,734.5 inhabitants per square mile (as reported by Wikipedia).

The racial makeup of Scarsdale is primarily White (63.8%), followed by Asian (20.3%), and then individuals identifying with two or more races (8.6%) (as reported by U.S. Census Bureau). A significant portion of the population, about 25.5%, were born outside the United States (as reported by Data USA). The median age is 41.5 years (as reported by U.S. Census Bureau).