Is Allentown or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Allentown is safer than New York City (Safety Score 45/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,841 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 39% lower. Allentown has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Allentown has a 70% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 66.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Allentown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Allentown, PA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Allentown | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,841.1 | 3,039.7 | -1,198.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 272.1 | 671.4 | -399.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 3.9 | -0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 26.5 | 23.4 | +3.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 57.0 | 187.5 | -130.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 185.4 | 456.2 | -270.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,569.0 | 2,368.3 | -799.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 121.2 | 154.7 | -33.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,252.0 | 2,015.0 | -763.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 195.8 | 198.5 | -2.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Allentown or New York City safer?
Allentown is safer with a total crime rate of 1,841 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Allentown has a violent crime rate of 272.1 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Allentown has lower violent crime.
About Allentown, PA
Allentown, a former industrial hub in eastern Pennsylvania, is the third-largest city in the state. Home to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, it sits along the Lehigh River with a diverse population. With a safety score of 45/100 and a population coverage of 124,599, Allentown has a total crime rate of 1,841.1 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.