How We Calculate Livability Scores
DwellCheck uses a transparent, data-driven approach to evaluate NYC addresses. We believe you should know exactly how scores are calculated.
Scoring Algorithm
Every address starts with a baseline score of 100. We then apply penalties for negative factors (violations, complaints, crime) and bonuses for positive factors (transit access, parks, amenities).
Final scores are clamped between 0-100:
Scoring Categories
Building Health
High WeightAnalyzes HPD violations, DOB violations, heat/hot water complaints, bedbug reports, and elevator issues at the specific building.
Impact: Up to -30 points for severe violations
Safety
High WeightEvaluates NYPD crime data, arrests, and safety-related 311 complaints within walking distance of the address.
Impact: Up to -25 points for high crime areas
Nuisance
Medium WeightMeasures noise complaints, trash issues, rodent sightings, and construction permits in the immediate area.
Impact: Up to -20 points for persistent issues
Commute/Transit
Medium WeightCalculates proximity to subway stations and bus stops, with bonuses for multiple transit options.
Impact: +3 to +8 points for excellent transit
Amenities
Medium WeightEvaluates access to parks, grocery stores, restaurants, and other conveniences.
Impact: +3 to +10 points for walkable amenities
Environment/Wellness
Low WeightAssesses sensory environment including quiet zones, third places, and street vitality.
Impact: +5 to -15 points based on factors
Data Sources
All data comes from official NYC government sources through the NYC Open Data Portal and the US Census Bureau.
Building Health
Safety
Nuisance
Transit
Amenities
Environment
Demographics
Confidence Score
Each report includes a confidence percentage that indicates how much data was successfully retrieved. A 100% confidence means all 11 scoring modules returned data. Lower confidence may occur if:
- NYC Open Data APIs are temporarily unavailable
- The address is very new and not yet in all databases
- Rate limiting affects data retrieval
We recommend treating low-confidence scores with appropriate skepticism and re-checking later.
Limitations & Disclaimers
- Not real estate advice: DwellCheck is an informational tool. Always visit addresses in person and consult professionals before making housing decisions.
- Data lag: Government data may be days to weeks old. Recent incidents may not be reflected.
- Address precision: Some data sources use approximate locations. We use building-level (BBL) data where available.
- Subjective factors: Scores cannot capture personal preferences, neighbor quality, or future changes.
- No guarantee: A high score does not guarantee a positive living experience, and a low score does not mean an address should be avoided.