Is Bristol or New Haven Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bristol is safer than New Haven (Safety Score 74/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,016 per 100,000 versus 4,123 for New Haven — 75% lower. Bristol has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Bristol has a 89% lower rate.
Note: New Haven is 2.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bristol — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New Haven — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bristol, CT
New Haven, CT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bristol | New Haven | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,016.2 | 4,123.3 | -3,107.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 58.2 | 536.3 | -478.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 10.9 | -7.7 |
| Rape Rate | 8.1 | 32.1 | -24.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 25.9 | 180.7 | -154.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 21.0 | 311.1 | -290.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 958.1 | 3,587.1 | -2,629.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 85.6 | 377.4 | -291.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 563.9 | 2,402.3 | -1,838.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 308.6 | 807.3 | -498.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bristol or New Haven safer?
Bristol is safer with a total crime rate of 1,016 per 100K vs 4,123 for New Haven — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bristol has a violent crime rate of 58.2 per 100K while New Haven has 536.3. Bristol has lower violent crime.
About Bristol, CT
Bristol, CT, once known as a clock-making hub, is a suburban city in Hartford County. It’s home to ESPN and a diverse population of around 60,000 residents. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 61,895, Bristol has a total crime rate of 1,016.2 per 100,000 residents.
About New Haven, CT
Home to Yale University since 1701, New Haven is a coastal city in south-central Connecticut. Its diverse population is roughly 135,000 residents. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 137,243, New Haven has a total crime rate of 4,123.3 per 100,000 residents.