Is Chesapeake or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chesapeake is safer than New York City (Safety Score 38/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,084 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 31% lower. Chesapeake has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Chesapeake has a 76% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 32.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chesapeake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chesapeake, VA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chesapeake | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,083.6 | 3,039.7 | -956.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 339.4 | 671.4 | -332.1 |
| Murder Rate | 4.7 | 3.9 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 23.3 | 23.4 | -0.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.7 | 187.5 | -142.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 266.7 | 456.2 | -189.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,744.2 | 2,368.3 | -624.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 185.0 | 154.7 | +30.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,446.5 | 2,015.0 | -568.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 112.7 | 198.5 | -85.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chesapeake or New York City safer?
Chesapeake is safer with a total crime rate of 2,084 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chesapeake has a violent crime rate of 339.4 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Chesapeake has lower violent crime.
About Chesapeake, VA
Chesapeake, a sprawling South Hampton Roads city, incorporates rural and suburban areas. Its numerous waterways, like the Great Dismal Swamp Canal, are integral to its geography. The city was formed in 1963 through a merger of Norfolk County and South Norfolk. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 257,248, Chesapeake has a total crime rate of 2,083.6 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.