Is Melville Safe, Pros and cons of living in Melville

Is it Safe to Live in Melville?

Melville, New York, presents a generally safe environment for its residents. The overall crime rate is considered to be about the same as the average US city, with a B- safety grade (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Residents often feel that the northeast part of the city is the safest, with crime varying by neighborhood.

Your likelihood of being a victim of crime in Melville depends on the specific area, ranging from a 1 in 27 chance in the southwest neighborhoods to a 1 in 103 chance in the northeast (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Property crime rates in Melville are also below the national average for all cities and towns (as analyzed by NeighborhoodScout).

Crime and Safety Statistics

Violent Crime Rates

The violent crime rate in Melville is reported at 3.011 per 1,000 residents annually (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). This rate is considered about the same as the average US city, with Melville ranking in the 48th percentile for safety. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime varies by neighborhood, with lower risks in the northeast compared to the southwest.

More specifically, the chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Melville ranges from 1 in 241 in the southwest to 1 in 482 in the northeast (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Total violent crime incidents are lower in the northwest parts of the city, with approximately 4 crimes annually, compared to the southwest’s approximately 14 incidents per year.

Property Crime Rates

Melville’s property crime rate is below the national average for all communities (as analyzed by NeighborhoodScout). This means that larceny, burglary, and motor vehicle theft occur less frequently in Melville than in most American communities. Your chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Melville is approximately 1 in 241 (as analyzed by NeighborhoodScout).

Year over year, crime in Melville has decreased by 4% (as reported by AreaVibes). Overall crime rates in Melville are 60% lower than the national average, with violent crimes also being 57% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Cost of Living and Housing

Housing Costs

The median housing cost in Melville is approximately $2,626 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). For renters, the median gross rent is around $3,501 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). These figures indicate that Melville’s housing expenses are a significant factor in its overall cost of living.

The median home value in Melville is approximately $874,532 as of March 2026 (as reported by Zillow). Redfin reports a median sale price of $1.4 million in March 2026, and an average home price of $1.35 million last month, up 48.4% since last year (as reported by Redfin). Homes in Melville tend to sell after about 83 days on the market, which is longer than the 47 days reported last year (as reported by Redfin).

Overall Cost of Living

Melville’s cost of living is considerably higher than the national average. One estimate places it at 71% higher than the U.S. national average and 163% higher than New York’s state average, with a projected monthly cost of $4,232 for singles and $9,320 for families of four (as reported by Salary.com). This high cost is primarily driven by elevated housing, transportation, and food expenses.

Another analysis indicates that Melville is 55% more expensive than the national average and 21% more expensive than the average city in New York (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). This assessment assumes an annual salary of $72,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, with food, transportation, housing, and healthcare costs all being less affordable than the U.S. average.

Job Market and Economy

Major Employers

While specific major employers are not detailed in the provided search results, the employment sectors that are most common for Melville residents include Health Care & Social Assistance, Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, and Finance & Insurance (as reported by Data USA). These sectors likely represent key areas of employment within and around Melville.

The majority of the working population in Melville is employed in professional or administrative positions, with 97% in white-collar roles and only 3% in blue-collar jobs (as reported by Cosmo Group Realty and ERI Economic Research Institute). A significant portion, 62.7%, are employed by private companies, with 14.2% working in the public sector.

Unemployment and Salaries

The unemployment rate in Melville is reported at 9.7% (as reported by Point2Homes). In contrast, another source indicates an unemployment rate of 6% (as reported by Niche). The average annual household income in Melville was $227,224 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes), with the median income standing at $159,922 (as reported by Point2Homes).

The median renter income in Melville was $117,750 according to 2022 Census data (as reported by Point2Homes). The rent-to-income ratio in the area is 35.7%, indicating the portion of earnings allocated to housing expenses.

Climate and Weather

Temperature Averages

Melville experiences a climate with warm, humid summers and very cold, snowy, and windy winters. The temperature typically ranges from 24°F to 82°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 11°F or exceeding 90°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The warmest month is July, with an average high of 82°F and a low of 68°F.

Conversely, the coldest month is January, with an average low of 25°F and a high of 38°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The warm season spans from June to September, while the cold season lasts from December to March.

Rainfall and Precipitation

Melville receives a significant amount of precipitation throughout the year, averaging 1151 mm (45 inches) annually (as reported by Best Time to Visit). The wettest month is December, with an average rainfall of 3.8 inches (as reported by Weather Spark). February typically sees the least amount of rain, with an average of 2.3 inches (as reported by Weather Spark).

The time of year with cooler water lasts from late December to mid-April, with an average temperature below 45°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The coolest water temperatures are generally found in February.

Education and Demographics

School Ratings

Public schools in Melville, NY, have an average math proficiency score of 64% and a reading proficiency score of 47% (as reported by Niche). These scores are compared to the New York public school averages of 52% for math and 49% for reading. The schools in Melville hold an average ranking of 7 out of 10, placing them in the top 50% of New York public schools (as reported by Niche).

Top-ranked public schools in Melville include Sunquam Elementary School, West Hollow Middle School, and Birchwood Intermediate School (as reported by Niche). West Hollow Middle School is noted for its strong performance, with proficiency rates exceeding district and state averages in ELA, Math, and Science (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Demographics

Melville is home to approximately 19,714 residents (as reported by Point2Homes). The racial composition is predominantly White, accounting for about 80.1% of the population, followed by Asian residents at 8.3% (as reported by Point2Homes). Hispanic or Latino individuals make up about 6.3% of the population (as reported by Point2Homes).

The median age in Melville is 50 years (as reported by Point2Homes). The population is distributed with about 14% under 15, 8.3% between 15 and 24, 22.9% between 25 and 44, 26% between 45 and 64, and approximately 28.8% aged 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes). Gender-wise, 45.4% of residents are male, and 54.6% are female (as reported by Point2Homes).

Pros and Cons of Living in Melville

Pros

Melville offers a relatively safe living environment, with crime rates generally at or below national averages for many categories (as reported by CrimeGrade.org, NeighborhoodScout, and AreaVibes). The community is known for its strong school system, with top-ranked public schools that often outperform state averages in proficiency (as reported by Niche and SchoolDigger.com).

The area boasts a high average household income, suggesting a prosperous community (as reported by Point2Homes). Additionally, the demographic makeup is diverse, with a significant portion of residents being foreign-born citizens, contributing to a multicultural atmosphere (as reported by Data USA).

Cons

A significant drawback of living in Melville is the high cost of living, particularly in housing. The median home value and median rent are substantially higher than both national and state averages (as reported by Zillow, Redfin, Point2Homes, and ERI Economic Research Institute).

While the overall crime rate is manageable, some neighborhoods experience higher crime counts than others, and the chance of being a victim can vary significantly by location (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The job market, while supported by sectors like healthcare and finance, has seen a recent decline in employment (as reported by Data USA).