How Scoring Works
A rigorous, multi-factor analysis of building quality using 16 weighted dimensions and millions of official NYC records.
The Algorithm
Weighted composite scoring
Core Principles
Time Decay
Old fixed issues fade over time. A violation fixed 5+ years ago has only 3% of its original impact.
Open vs Closed
Open violations are 5-10x more impactful than closed ones. Current problems matter most.
Per-Unit Normalization
10 violations in a 100-unit building is better than 10 in a 5-unit building. We normalize fairly.
Max Score: 99.5
No building scores 100. We cap scores because unreported issues and uncertainty always exist.
Violation Existence Penalty
Having violations at all caps your maximum score. 50+ violations caps at 60, 100+ caps at 50.
"Too Perfect" Skepticism
Zero violations might mean under-inspection. Very old or large buildings with 0 violations are capped.
Age Factor
100+ year old buildings get -3 points regardless of violations. Old infrastructure = inherent risk.
Score Compression
Scores above 90 are compressed to spread distribution. Reaching 95+ requires excellence across all categories.
Grade Thresholds
The worst buildings score as low as 12-15. The best can reach 99.5.
The NYC Reality
What scores actually mean in context
Most NYC buildings are excellent.
54.5% of buildings score 90+ — meaning you can score a 90 and still be middle of the pack! The vast majority of NYC buildings are genuinely well-maintained. Our scoring system is designed to help you avoid the relatively small number of truly problematic buildings that slip through the cracks.
Score Distribution Across 314,000+ Buildings
Borough Rankings (by mean score)
Top 10 Neighborhoods
Bottom 10 Neighborhoods (where our tool matters most)
Bottom line: In NYC, bad buildings are the exception, not the rule. StreetSmart exists to help you spot the exceptions before you sign a lease.
Time Decay Function
How closed violation impact fades over time
Note: Open violations do NOT decay — they maintain full impact until fixed.
16 Scoring Dimensions
Tap any category to see details
Violation Existence Penalties
Maximum possible scores based on violation counts
Total Violation Caps
Open Violation Caps (Harsher)
Location Score Components
Geographic factors in the overall score
Subway Proximity
40%Park Proximity
30%Cultural Density
30%Data Sources
See Your Building's Score
Enter any NYC address to get a comprehensive building report with all 16 scoring dimensions.
Search Any AddressStreetSmart scores are for informational purposes only.
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