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 35/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,185 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 28% lower. Altoona has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Altoona has a 61% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 195.6x 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, PA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Altoona | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,185.1 | 3,039.7 | -854.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 334.7 | 671.4 | -336.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.4 | 3.9 | -1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 75.4 | 23.4 | +52.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 73.1 | 187.5 | -114.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 183.9 | 456.2 | -272.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,850.4 | 2,368.3 | -517.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 332.4 | 154.7 | +177.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,402.5 | 2,015.0 | -612.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 115.5 | 198.5 | -83.0 |
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 2,185 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Altoona has a violent crime rate of 334.7 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Altoona has lower violent crime.
About Altoona, PA
Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, Altoona was once a vital railroad town, home to the Pennsylvania Railroad's extensive shops. Its population of around 44,000 reflects a legacy of industrial heritage. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 42,424, Altoona has a total crime rate of 2,185.1 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.