Is Bakersfield or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bakersfield is safer than New York City (Safety Score 19/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 3,026 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 0% lower. Bakersfield has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New York City has a 42% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 19.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bakersfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bakersfield, CA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bakersfield | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,026.1 | 3,039.7 | -13.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 556.3 | 671.4 | -115.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.7 | 3.9 | +2.8 |
| Rape Rate | 40.9 | 23.4 | +17.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 125.7 | 187.5 | -61.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 381.4 | 456.2 | -74.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.7 | 2,368.3 | +101.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 537.6 | 154.7 | +382.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,259.0 | 2,015.0 | -756.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 673.1 | 198.5 | +474.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bakersfield or New York City safer?
Bakersfield is safer with a total crime rate of 3,026 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bakersfield has a violent crime rate of 556.3 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Bakersfield has lower violent crime.
About Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield, a city in California's Central Valley, is known for its country music heritage, the "Bakersfield Sound." It is a major agricultural and oil-producing region, with a diverse population of over 400,000 residents. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 416,120, Bakersfield has a total crime rate of 3,026.1 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.