Is Bedford or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bedford is safer than New York City (Safety Score 93/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 457 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 85% lower. Bedford has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bedford has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 566.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bedford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bedford, MA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bedford | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 457.1 | 3,039.7 | -2,582.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 13.6 | 671.4 | -657.8 |
| Murder Rate | 13.6 | 3.9 | +9.7 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 23.4 | -23.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 187.5 | -187.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 0.0 | 456.2 | -456.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 443.4 | 2,368.3 | -1,924.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 40.9 | 154.7 | -113.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 375.2 | 2,015.0 | -1,639.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 27.3 | 198.5 | -171.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bedford or New York City safer?
Bedford is safer with a total crime rate of 457 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 85% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bedford has a violent crime rate of 13.6 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Bedford has lower violent crime.
About Bedford, MA
Bedford, MA, home to Hanscom Air Force Base and a significant tech industry presence, sits northwest of Boston. This Middlesex County town, a bedroom community, maintains a suburban character with a notable historical district. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 14,659, Bedford has a total crime rate of 457.1 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.