Is Altoona or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Altoona is safer than New York City (Safety Score 36/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,154 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 29% lower. Altoona has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Altoona has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 370.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Altoona — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Altoona, IA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Altoona | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,154.1 | 3,039.7 | -885.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 142.7 | 671.4 | -528.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 8.9 | 23.4 | -14.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 13.4 | 187.5 | -174.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 120.4 | 456.2 | -335.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,011.4 | 2,368.3 | -356.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 116.0 | 154.7 | -38.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,775.0 | 2,015.0 | -240.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 120.4 | 198.5 | -78.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Altoona or New York City safer?
Altoona is safer with a total crime rate of 2,154 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Altoona has a violent crime rate of 142.7 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Altoona has lower violent crime.
About Altoona, IA
Altoona, Iowa, a Des Moines suburb, is home to Adventureland Park. This growing city in Polk County has a population of over 20,000. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 22,422, Altoona has a total crime rate of 2,154.1 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.