Kensington vs Jackson Heights
Kensington (Brooklyn) and Jackson Heights (Queens), compared across the nine signals we score for families. Kensington scores higher on Safety and Schools; Jackson Heights leads on Health and Transit. Overall they're 83% similar on family fit.
How they compare
| Metric | Kensington | Jackson Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Family Fit | 57/100 | 61/100 (leads) |
| Families | 72/100 | 89/100 (leads) |
| Affordability | 43/100 | 45/100 (leads) |
| Schools | 67/100 (leads) | 50/100 |
| Neighborhood Character | 91/100 | 93/100 (leads) |
| Transit | 65/100 | 86/100 (leads) |
| Safety | 60/100 (leads) | 41/100 |
| Health | 28/100 | 62/100 (leads) |
| Activities | 61/100 | 70/100 (leads) |
Weekday-morning commute
| Metric | Kensington | Jackson Heights |
|---|---|---|
| To Midtown | 49–50 min | 35–36 min (leads) |
| To Lower Manhattan | 35–37 min (leads) | 49–50 min |
| To Hudson Yards | 56–58 min | 44–45 min (leads) |
| To Union Square / Flatiron | 48–49 min | 43–45 min (leads) |
| To Upper East Side medical corridor | 63–64 min | 45–46 min (leads) |
| To Downtown Brooklyn | 29–30 min (leads) | 52–53 min |
| To Long Island City | 51–52 min | 25–26 min (leads) |
| To Jamaica | 66–69 min | 36–37 min (leads) |
| To Flushing | 79–80 min | 23–24 min (leads) |
| To Fordham | 80–84 min | 63–66 min (leads) |
Typical transit and walking time, leaving between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. on a weekday, from each neighborhood's population center; the shorter trip leads. From MTA, NYC DOT and NYC Ferry schedules, so no delays or crowding. Streets © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Kensington or Jackson Heights better for families?
- Kensington and Jackson Heights each suit different families. Kensington leads on Safety and Schools, while Jackson Heights leads on Health, Transit, and Families. What's "better" depends on what you prioritize — safety, schools, affordability, or transit. Our neighborhood search can rank them by your own weights.
- How do Kensington and Jackson Heights compare on safety and schools?
- Kensington: 60/100 safety, 67/100 schools. Jackson Heights: 41/100 safety, 50/100 schools.
- Are Kensington and Jackson Heights similar neighborhoods?
- They're 83% similar across the nine signals we score. Kensington stands out on Safety and Schools.
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