Is Buffalo or Elmira Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Buffalo is safer than Elmira (Safety Score 6/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 4,517 per 100,000 versus 4,684 for Elmira — 4% lower. Buffalo has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Elmira has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Buffalo is 10.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Buffalo, NY?
Buffalo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elmira — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Buffalo, NY
Elmira, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Buffalo | Elmira | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,516.5 | 4,684.3 | -167.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 706.9 | 547.3 | +159.7 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 3.8 | +8.6 |
| Rape Rate | 43.5 | 19.1 | +24.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 157.8 | 84.2 | +73.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 492.5 | 440.1 | +52.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,809.6 | 4,137.0 | -327.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 438.0 | 428.6 | +9.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,573.4 | 3,631.8 | -1,058.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 798.2 | 76.5 | +721.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo or Elmira safer?
Buffalo is safer with a total crime rate of 4,517 per 100K vs 4,684 for Elmira — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Buffalo has a violent crime rate of 706.9 per 100K while Elmira has 547.3. Elmira 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 6/100 and a population coverage of 273,728, Buffalo has a total crime rate of 4,516.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Elmira, NY
Elmira, a city in Chemung County, sits along the Chemung River in the Southern Tier of New York. It was home to a Civil War prison camp and is known for its historic architecture. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 26,130, Elmira has a total crime rate of 4,684.3 per 100,000 residents.