Is Buffalo or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than Buffalo (Safety Score 19/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 4,517 for Buffalo — 33% lower. Buffalo has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New York City has a 68% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 30.3x 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, NY
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Buffalo | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,516.5 | 3,039.7 | +1,476.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 706.9 | 671.4 | +35.5 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 3.9 | +8.5 |
| Rape Rate | 43.5 | 23.4 | +20.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 157.8 | 187.5 | -29.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 492.5 | 456.2 | +36.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,809.6 | 2,368.3 | +1,441.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 438.0 | 154.7 | +283.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,573.4 | 2,015.0 | +558.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 798.2 | 198.5 | +599.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo or New York City safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 4,517 for Buffalo — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Buffalo has a violent crime rate of 706.9 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. New York City 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 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.