Is Bellingham or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bellingham is safer than New York City (Safety Score 64/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 59% lower. Bellingham has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellingham has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 458.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bellingham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellingham, MA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellingham | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,259.7 | 3,039.7 | -1,780.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 215.5 | 671.4 | -456.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 44.2 | 23.4 | +20.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 22.1 | 187.5 | -165.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 149.2 | 456.2 | -307.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,044.3 | 2,368.3 | -1,324.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 66.3 | 154.7 | -88.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 917.2 | 2,015.0 | -1,097.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 60.8 | 198.5 | -137.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellingham or New York City safer?
Bellingham is safer with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 59% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellingham has a violent crime rate of 215.5 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Bellingham has lower violent crime.
About Bellingham, MA
Bellingham, Massachusetts, a suburban town in southeastern Worcester County, was incorporated in 1719. It's home to roughly 19,000 residents and features a mix of residential areas and commercial zones along Route 126. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 18,099, Bellingham has a total crime rate of 1,259.7 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.