Is Baltimore or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than Baltimore (Safety Score 19/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 5,763 for Baltimore — 47% lower. Baltimore has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New York City has a 89% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 14.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Baltimore — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Baltimore, MD
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Baltimore | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,763.2 | 3,039.7 | +2,723.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,606.2 | 671.4 | +934.7 |
| Murder Rate | 34.8 | 3.9 | +30.9 |
| Rape Rate | 57.5 | 23.4 | +34.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 573.2 | 187.5 | +385.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 940.7 | 456.2 | +484.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,157.0 | 2,368.3 | +1,788.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 523.8 | 154.7 | +369.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,581.9 | 2,015.0 | +566.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,051.3 | 198.5 | +852.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baltimore or New York City safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 5,763 for Baltimore — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Baltimore has a violent crime rate of 1,606.2 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. New York City has lower violent crime.
About Baltimore, MD
Baltimore, Maryland, a historic port city on the Patapsco River, is home to the Inner Harbor and a diverse population. Known for its distinct neighborhoods and the legacy of Edgar Allan Poe, it's the most populous city in Maryland. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 566,632, Baltimore has a total crime rate of 5,763.2 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.