Is Brownsville or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Brownsville is safer than New York City (Safety Score 31/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,398 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 21% lower. Brownsville has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Brownsville has a 68% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 43.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Brownsville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brownsville, TX
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brownsville | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,397.8 | 3,039.7 | -642.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 456.0 | 671.4 | -215.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.1 | 3.9 | -1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 30.9 | 23.4 | +7.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.7 | 187.5 | -126.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 362.4 | 456.2 | -93.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,941.7 | 2,368.3 | -426.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 192.5 | 154.7 | +37.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,335.6 | 2,015.0 | -679.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 413.7 | 198.5 | +215.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brownsville or New York City safer?
Brownsville is safer with a total crime rate of 2,398 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brownsville has a violent crime rate of 456.0 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Brownsville has lower violent crime.
About Brownsville, TX
Brownsville, the southernmost city in Texas, is a vibrant border community with a rich Tejano heritage. Situated on the Rio Grande, it's home to a diverse, predominantly Hispanic population. With a safety score of 31/100 and a population coverage of 191,221, Brownsville has a total crime rate of 2,397.8 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.