Is Amherst or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Amherst is safer than New York City (Safety Score 93/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 466 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 85% lower. Amherst has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Amherst has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 179.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Amherst — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Amherst, MA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Amherst | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 466.5 | 3,039.7 | -2,573.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 159.8 | 671.4 | -511.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 71.3 | 23.4 | +47.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.5 | 187.5 | -181.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 82.1 | 456.2 | -374.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 306.7 | 2,368.3 | -2,061.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 34.6 | 154.7 | -120.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 263.5 | 2,015.0 | -1,751.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 8.6 | 198.5 | -189.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amherst or New York City safer?
Amherst is safer with a total crime rate of 466 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 85% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Amherst has a violent crime rate of 159.8 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Amherst has lower violent crime.
About Amherst, MA
Amherst, Massachusetts, home to Emily Dickinson's homestead, is a college town in the Pioneer Valley. It's a predominantly white community with a significant student population. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 46,304, Amherst has a total crime rate of 466.5 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.