Is Buffalo or Durham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Durham is safer than Buffalo (Safety Score 6/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 4,420 per 100,000 versus 4,517 for Buffalo — 2% lower. Buffalo has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
Buffalo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Durham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Buffalo, NY
Durham, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Buffalo | Durham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,516.5 | 4,420.3 | +96.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 706.9 | 620.6 | +86.3 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 12.3 | +0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 43.5 | 57.3 | -13.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 157.8 | 160.9 | -3.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 492.5 | 388.7 | +103.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,809.6 | 3,799.7 | +9.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 438.0 | 450.4 | -12.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,573.4 | 2,725.4 | -152.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 798.2 | 623.9 | +174.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo or Durham safer?
Durham is safer with a total crime rate of 4,420 per 100K vs 4,517 for Buffalo — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Buffalo has a violent crime rate of 706.9 per 100K while Durham has 620.6. Durham 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 Durham, NC
Durham, North Carolina, known as the "Bull City," grew around its tobacco industry. It's a diverse city in the Piedmont region, home to Duke University and a thriving tech scene. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 300,208, Durham has a total crime rate of 4,420.3 per 100,000 residents.