Is California City or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, California City is safer than New York City (Safety Score 36/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,176 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 28% lower. California City has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where California City has a 76% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 618.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
California City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
California City, CA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | California City | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,176.2 | 3,039.7 | -863.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 588.8 | 671.4 | -82.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.5 | 3.9 | +3.5 |
| Rape Rate | 22.4 | 23.4 | -1.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.7 | 187.5 | -142.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 514.2 | 456.2 | +58.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,587.4 | 2,368.3 | -780.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 380.1 | 154.7 | +225.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 842.2 | 2,015.0 | -1,172.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 365.2 | 198.5 | +166.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California City or New York City safer?
California City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,176 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
California City has a violent crime rate of 588.8 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. California City has lower violent crime.
About California City, CA
California City, an ambitious 1950s planned community in the Mojave Desert, boasts the third-largest land area of any California city. Its vast, grid-like street network often lies empty, a testament to its unfulfilled growth. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 13,418, California City has a total crime rate of 2,176.2 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.