The Grass Isn’t Always Greener: How Crime Influences Property Values Near Urban Greenlines

Abstract

Green spaces, including greenlines and greenways, are widely regarded as amenities that enhance residential property values through aesthetic appeal, recreational opportunities, and improved community connectivity. However, these benefits may be offset by crime, which deters homebuyers and diminishes perceived safety. This study examines how proximity to greenlines affects property values in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, and how this relationship is shaped by local crime conditions. Using a hedonic pricing model and a spatial Difference-in-Differences framework, we analyze property transactions alongside detailed measures of property, violent, and other crime types. We find that while greenlines are generally associated with increased property values, this effect is significantly moderated by crime—especially property crime. In high-crime neighborhoods, proximity to greenlines can decrease property values, suggesting that perceived safety concerns outweigh amenity benefits. Our findings suggest that perceived safety plays a central role in shaping the value residents place on green infrastructure. Although focused on Shelby County, the results offer broader insight into how crime can condition the amenity value of green infrastructure in other urban and suburban contexts.