Is Buffalo or Tonawanda Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Tonawanda is safer than Buffalo (Safety Score 63/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 1,302 per 100,000 versus 4,517 for Buffalo — 71% lower. Buffalo has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Tonawanda has a 96% lower rate.
Note: Buffalo is 18.5x 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
Tonawanda — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Buffalo, NY
Tonawanda, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Buffalo | Tonawanda | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,516.5 | 1,301.9 | +3,214.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 706.9 | 168.6 | +538.3 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 13.5 | -1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 43.5 | 33.7 | +9.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 157.8 | 6.8 | +151.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 492.5 | 114.7 | +377.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,809.6 | 1,133.2 | +2,676.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 438.0 | 121.4 | +316.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,573.4 | 897.1 | +1,676.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 798.2 | 114.7 | +683.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo or Tonawanda safer?
Tonawanda is safer with a total crime rate of 1,302 per 100K vs 4,517 for Buffalo — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Buffalo has a violent crime rate of 706.9 per 100K while Tonawanda has 168.6. Tonawanda 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 Tonawanda, NY
Tonawanda, NY, a city and town in Erie County, was once a major lumber port. Situated at the junction of the Erie Canal and the Niagara River, its population is around 50,000. With a safety score of 63/100 and a population coverage of 14,825, Tonawanda has a total crime rate of 1,301.9 per 100,000 residents.