Is Buffalo or Olean Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Olean is safer than Buffalo (Safety Score 8/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 4,136 per 100,000 versus 4,517 for Buffalo — 8% lower. Buffalo has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Olean has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Buffalo is 20.2x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Buffalo, NY?
Buffalo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Olean — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Buffalo, NY
Olean, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Buffalo | Olean | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,516.5 | 4,136.0 | +380.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 706.9 | 346.5 | +360.4 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 0.0 | +12.4 |
| Rape Rate | 43.5 | 14.7 | +28.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 157.8 | 103.2 | +54.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 492.5 | 228.6 | +263.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,809.6 | 3,789.4 | +20.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 438.0 | 339.1 | +98.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,573.4 | 3,361.8 | -788.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 798.2 | 88.5 | +709.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo or Olean safer?
Olean is safer with a total crime rate of 4,136 per 100K vs 4,517 for Buffalo — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Buffalo has a violent crime rate of 706.9 per 100K while Olean has 346.5. Olean 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 Olean, NY
Olean, a Cattaraugus County city, was once a major oil refining center. Situated in a valley, it is the largest community in its county. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 13,564, Olean has a total crime rate of 4,136.0 per 100,000 residents.