Is Buffalo or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Buffalo is safer than New York City (Safety Score 93/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 475 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 84% lower. Buffalo has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Buffalo has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 499.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Buffalo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Buffalo, MN
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Buffalo | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 475.1 | 3,039.7 | -2,564.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 54.1 | 671.4 | -617.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 12.0 | 23.4 | -11.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 187.5 | -187.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 42.1 | 456.2 | -414.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 421.0 | 2,368.3 | -1,947.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 18.0 | 154.7 | -136.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 396.9 | 2,015.0 | -1,618.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 6.0 | 198.5 | -192.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo or New York City safer?
Buffalo is safer with a total crime rate of 475 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 84% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Buffalo has a violent crime rate of 54.1 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Buffalo has lower violent crime.
About Buffalo, MN
Buffalo, Minnesota, a city named for the nearby Buffalo Lake, sits in Wright County. It serves as the county seat and is known for its annual "Polka Fest," reflecting its strong German and Scandinavian heritage. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 16,627, Buffalo has a total crime rate of 475.1 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.