Is Berkeley or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than Berkeley (Safety Score 19/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 5,869 for Berkeley — 48% lower. Berkeley has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where New York City has a 55% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 70.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Berkeley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Berkeley, CA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Berkeley | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,868.8 | 3,039.7 | +2,829.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 639.7 | 671.4 | -31.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.0 | 3.9 | +2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 46.0 | 23.4 | +22.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 186.5 | 187.5 | -0.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 400.3 | 456.2 | -55.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,229.1 | 2,368.3 | +2,860.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 661.0 | 154.7 | +506.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,655.9 | 2,015.0 | +1,640.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 912.3 | 198.5 | +713.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berkeley or New York City safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 5,869 for Berkeley — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Berkeley has a violent crime rate of 639.7 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Berkeley has lower violent crime.
About Berkeley, CA
Berkeley, California, home to a world-renowned university and the Free Speech Movement, sits on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. This diverse city's population is highly educated, with a significant proportion holding graduate degrees. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 117,400, Berkeley has a total crime rate of 5,868.8 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.