Is Brookings or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Brookings is safer than New York City (Safety Score 64/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,266 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 58% lower. Brookings has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Brookings has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 336.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Brookings — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brookings, SD
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brookings | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,266.3 | 3,039.7 | -1,773.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 89.3 | 671.4 | -582.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 16.2 | 23.4 | -7.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 187.5 | -187.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 69.0 | 456.2 | -387.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,177.0 | 2,368.3 | -1,191.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 44.7 | 154.7 | -110.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,059.3 | 2,015.0 | -955.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 73.1 | 198.5 | -125.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brookings or New York City safer?
Brookings is safer with a total crime rate of 1,266 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 58% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brookings has a violent crime rate of 89.3 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Brookings has lower violent crime.
About Brookings, SD
Brookings, South Dakota, home to South Dakota State University, is a plains community near the Minnesota border. Its population of around 24,000 is largely influenced by the university's students and faculty. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 24,638, Brookings has a total crime rate of 1,266.3 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.