Is Burlington or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Burlington is safer than New York City (Safety Score 34/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,239 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 26% lower. Burlington has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Burlington has a 91% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 354.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Burlington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Burlington, IA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Burlington | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,239.4 | 3,039.7 | -800.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 413.8 | 671.4 | -257.7 |
| Murder Rate | 8.5 | 3.9 | +4.6 |
| Rape Rate | 38.4 | 23.4 | +15.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.1 | 187.5 | -170.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 349.8 | 456.2 | -106.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,825.6 | 2,368.3 | -542.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 273.0 | 154.7 | +118.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,356.4 | 2,015.0 | -658.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 196.2 | 198.5 | -2.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burlington or New York City safer?
Burlington is safer with a total crime rate of 2,239 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Burlington has a violent crime rate of 413.8 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Burlington has lower violent crime.
About Burlington, IA
Burlington, Iowa, a historic Mississippi River town, was once the state's first capital. Located in Des Moines County, its population is approximately 23,000. With a safety score of 34/100 and a population coverage of 23,444, Burlington has a total crime rate of 2,239.4 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.