Is Buffalo or Cortland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cortland is safer than Buffalo (Safety Score 16/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,181 per 100,000 versus 4,517 for Buffalo — 30% lower. Buffalo has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cortland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Buffalo is 15.9x 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
Cortland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Buffalo, NY
Cortland, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Buffalo | Cortland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,516.5 | 3,180.8 | +1,335.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 706.9 | 226.8 | +480.1 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 0.0 | +12.4 |
| Rape Rate | 43.5 | 40.7 | +2.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 157.8 | 11.6 | +146.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 492.5 | 174.5 | +318.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,809.6 | 2,954.0 | +855.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 438.0 | 325.6 | +112.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,573.4 | 2,581.9 | -8.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 798.2 | 46.5 | +751.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo or Cortland safer?
Cortland is safer with a total crime rate of 3,181 per 100K vs 4,517 for Buffalo — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Buffalo has a violent crime rate of 706.9 per 100K while Cortland has 226.8. Cortland has lower violent crime.
About Buffalo, NY
Buffalo, a city on Lake Erie, boasts a rich industrial past and stunning architecture by masters like Frank Lloyd Wright. As the second-largest city in New York, it experiences distinct seasons, including significant snowfall. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 273,728, Buffalo has a total crime rate of 4,516.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Cortland, NY
Cortland, "The Crown City," sits in Central New York's hills. Home to SUNY Cortland, it's a small city with a population around 19,000. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 17,197, Cortland has a total crime rate of 3,180.8 per 100,000 residents.