Is Acton or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Acton is safer than New York City (Safety Score 95/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 416 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 86% lower. Acton has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Acton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 338.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Acton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Acton, MA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Acton | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 416.2 | 3,039.7 | -2,623.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 65.3 | 671.4 | -606.1 |
| Murder Rate | 4.1 | 3.9 | +0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 12.2 | 23.4 | -11.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 187.5 | -187.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 49.0 | 456.2 | -407.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 350.9 | 2,368.3 | -2,017.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 77.5 | 154.7 | -77.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 261.2 | 2,015.0 | -1,753.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 12.2 | 198.5 | -186.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acton or New York City safer?
Acton is safer with a total crime rate of 416 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 86% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Acton has a violent crime rate of 65.3 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Acton has lower violent crime.
About Acton, MA
Acton, a Middlesex County town established in 1735, boasts a rich history including Minutemen participation. Located about 20 miles west-northwest of Boston, it is primarily residential with a highly educated population. With a safety score of 95/100 and a population coverage of 24,506, Acton has a total crime rate of 416.2 per 100,000 residents.
About New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 per 100,000 residents.