Is Buffalo or Ithaca Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ithaca is safer than Buffalo (Safety Score 14/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,412 per 100,000 versus 4,517 for Buffalo — 24% lower. Buffalo has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ithaca has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Buffalo is 8.1x 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
Ithaca — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Buffalo, NY
Ithaca, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Buffalo | Ithaca | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,516.5 | 3,412.0 | +1,104.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 706.9 | 196.2 | +510.8 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 3.0 | +9.5 |
| Rape Rate | 43.5 | 17.8 | +25.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 157.8 | 47.6 | +110.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 492.5 | 127.8 | +364.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,809.6 | 3,215.8 | +593.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 438.0 | 329.9 | +108.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,573.4 | 2,838.4 | -265.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 798.2 | 47.6 | +750.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo or Ithaca safer?
Ithaca is safer with a total crime rate of 3,412 per 100K vs 4,517 for Buffalo — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Buffalo has a violent crime rate of 706.9 per 100K while Ithaca has 196.2. Ithaca 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 Ithaca, NY
Ithaca, home to Cornell University, is a city nestled in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. Its dramatic gorges and waterfalls are a defining geographic feature, and its population is relatively young due to the presence of two colleges. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 33,646, Ithaca has a total crime rate of 3,412.0 per 100,000 residents.