Is Arlington or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Arlington is safer than New York City (Safety Score 92/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 490 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 84% lower. Arlington has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Arlington has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 176.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Arlington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Arlington, MA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Arlington | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 489.8 | 3,039.7 | -2,549.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 55.4 | 671.4 | -616.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 10.7 | 23.4 | -12.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 187.5 | -187.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 44.7 | 456.2 | -411.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 434.5 | 2,368.3 | -1,933.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 59.6 | 154.7 | -95.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 338.6 | 2,015.0 | -1,676.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 36.2 | 198.5 | -162.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arlington or New York City safer?
Arlington is safer with a total crime rate of 490 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 84% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Arlington has a violent crime rate of 55.4 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Arlington has lower violent crime.
About Arlington, MA
Arlington, MA, a historic suburb northwest of Boston, was once home to Uncle Sam. This densely populated town of over 46,000 residents features a mix of residential areas and commercial centers along Massachusetts Avenue. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 46,956, Arlington has a total crime rate of 489.8 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.