Is Buffalo or Oswego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Oswego is safer than Buffalo (Safety Score 9/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,893 per 100,000 versus 4,517 for Buffalo — 14% lower. Buffalo has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Oswego has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Buffalo is 16.0x 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
Oswego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Buffalo, NY
Oswego, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Buffalo | Oswego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,516.5 | 3,892.6 | +623.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 706.9 | 340.0 | +366.9 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 5.9 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 43.5 | 41.0 | +2.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 157.8 | 46.9 | +110.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 492.5 | 246.2 | +246.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,809.6 | 3,552.6 | +257.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 438.0 | 779.7 | -341.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,573.4 | 2,638.1 | -64.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 798.2 | 134.8 | +663.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo or Oswego safer?
Oswego is safer with a total crime rate of 3,893 per 100K vs 4,517 for Buffalo — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Buffalo has a violent crime rate of 706.9 per 100K while Oswego has 340.0. Oswego 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 Oswego, NY
Oswego, a port city on Lake Ontario, was vital during the French and Indian War. Its population is around 17,000, with a significant portion tied to SUNY Oswego. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 17,058, Oswego has a total crime rate of 3,892.6 per 100,000 residents.