Is Bartow or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bartow is safer than New York City (Safety Score 33/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,282 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 25% lower. Bartow has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bartow has a 64% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 396.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bartow — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bartow, FL
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bartow | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,281.8 | 3,039.7 | -757.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 491.7 | 671.4 | -179.7 |
| Murder Rate | 4.8 | 3.9 | +0.9 |
| Rape Rate | 43.0 | 23.4 | +19.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 66.8 | 187.5 | -120.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 377.1 | 456.2 | -79.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,790.2 | 2,368.3 | -578.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.4 | 154.7 | +217.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,298.5 | 2,015.0 | -716.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 119.3 | 198.5 | -79.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bartow or New York City safer?
Bartow is safer with a total crime rate of 2,282 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bartow has a violent crime rate of 491.7 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Bartow has lower violent crime.
About Bartow, FL
Bartow, the "City of Oaks and Azaleas," is the county seat of Polk County in Central Florida. Founded in 1851, it's home to the historic Polk County Courthouse and a diverse population of about 20,000 residents. With a safety score of 33/100 and a population coverage of 20,948, Bartow has a total crime rate of 2,281.8 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.