Is Champaign or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Champaign is safer than New York City (Safety Score 23/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,781 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 9% lower. Champaign has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Champaign has a 51% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 92.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Champaign — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Champaign, IL
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Champaign | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,780.9 | 3,039.7 | -258.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 501.9 | 671.4 | -169.6 |
| Murder Rate | 5.6 | 3.9 | +1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 68.2 | 23.4 | +44.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.7 | 187.5 | -95.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 336.4 | 456.2 | -119.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,279.1 | 2,368.3 | -89.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 574.5 | 154.7 | +419.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,472.1 | 2,015.0 | -542.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 232.5 | 198.5 | +34.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Champaign or New York City safer?
Champaign is safer with a total crime rate of 2,781 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Champaign has a violent crime rate of 501.9 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Champaign has lower violent crime.
About Champaign, IL
Champaign, Illinois, home to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is a mid-sized city in East Central Illinois. Its flat prairie landscape and highly educated populace reflect its agricultural roots and academic focus. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 89,466, Champaign has a total crime rate of 2,780.9 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.