Is Buffalo or Oneonta Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Oneonta is safer than Buffalo (Safety Score 81/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 813 per 100,000 versus 4,517 for Buffalo — 82% lower. Buffalo has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Oneonta has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Buffalo is 16.9x 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
Oneonta — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Buffalo, NY
Oneonta, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Buffalo | Oneonta | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,516.5 | 813.2 | +3,703.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 706.9 | 80.1 | +626.8 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 0.0 | +12.4 |
| Rape Rate | 43.5 | 30.8 | +12.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 157.8 | 12.3 | +145.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 492.5 | 37.0 | +455.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,809.6 | 733.1 | +3,076.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 438.0 | 98.6 | +339.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,573.4 | 616.1 | +1,957.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 798.2 | 18.5 | +779.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo or Oneonta safer?
Oneonta is safer with a total crime rate of 813 per 100K vs 4,517 for Buffalo — a 82% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Buffalo has a violent crime rate of 706.9 per 100K while Oneonta has 80.1. Oneonta 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 Oneonta, NY
Nestled in the northern Catskills, Oneonta, NY, is a college town with a rich railroad history. Its population of around 13,000 includes students from SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College. With a safety score of 81/100 and a population coverage of 16,232, Oneonta has a total crime rate of 813.2 per 100,000 residents.