Is Brookline or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Brookline is safer than New York City (Safety Score 74/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 995 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 67% lower. Brookline has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Brookline has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 129.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Brookline — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brookline, MA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brookline | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 995.0 | 3,039.7 | -2,044.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 99.8 | 671.4 | -571.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 4.7 | 23.4 | -18.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.6 | 187.5 | -171.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 79.5 | 456.2 | -376.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 895.2 | 2,368.3 | -1,473.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 85.8 | 154.7 | -69.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 784.4 | 2,015.0 | -1,230.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 25.0 | 198.5 | -173.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brookline or New York City safer?
Brookline is safer with a total crime rate of 995 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 67% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brookline has a violent crime rate of 99.8 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Brookline has lower violent crime.
About Brookline, MA
Brookline, Massachusetts, a town surrounded by Boston, is home to the historic Coolidge Corner Theatre. This affluent community, with a significant Jewish population, boasts tree-lined streets and a dense, educated populace. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 64,122, Brookline has a total crime rate of 995.0 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.