Is Albany or Buffalo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Albany is safer than Buffalo (Safety Score 11/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,665 per 100,000 versus 4,517 for Buffalo — 19% lower. Albany has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Albany has a 29% lower rate.
Note: Buffalo is 2.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Albany — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Buffalo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Albany, NY
Buffalo, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Albany | Buffalo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,665.2 | 4,516.5 | -851.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 816.9 | 706.9 | +110.0 |
| Murder Rate | 8.8 | 12.4 | -3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 72.5 | 43.5 | +29.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 179.2 | 157.8 | +21.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 556.3 | 492.5 | +63.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,848.3 | 3,809.6 | -961.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 312.5 | 438.0 | -125.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,250.8 | 2,573.4 | -322.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 285.0 | 798.2 | -513.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albany or Buffalo safer?
Albany is safer with a total crime rate of 3,665 per 100K vs 4,517 for Buffalo — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Albany has a violent crime rate of 816.9 per 100K while Buffalo has 706.9. Buffalo has lower violent crime.
About Albany, NY
Albany, New York, the state capital, sits on the Hudson River. Its rich history includes the oldest continuously chartered city in the U.S., with a diverse population of around 99,000 residents. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 102,095, Albany has a total crime rate of 3,665.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Buffalo, NY
Buffalo, a city on Lake Erie, boasts a rich industrial past and stunning architecture by masters like Frank Lloyd Wright. As the second-largest city in New York, it experiences distinct seasons, including significant snowfall. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 273,728, Buffalo has a total crime rate of 4,516.5 per 100,000 residents.