Is Cleveland or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cleveland is safer than New York City (Safety Score 22/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,837 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 7% lower. Cleveland has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Cleveland has a 67% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 167.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cleveland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, TN
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,837.4 | 3,039.7 | -202.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 452.7 | 671.4 | -218.7 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 3.9 | +0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 18.2 | 23.4 | -5.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 62.7 | 187.5 | -124.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 367.8 | 456.2 | -88.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,384.7 | 2,368.3 | +16.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 272.8 | 154.7 | +118.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,962.3 | 2,015.0 | -52.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 149.6 | 198.5 | -49.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or New York City safer?
Cleveland is safer with a total crime rate of 2,837 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 452.7 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Cleveland has lower violent crime.
About Cleveland, TN
Cleveland, Tennessee, a city named for Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, sits in Bradley County at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It's home to Lee University, a prominent Church of God institution. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 49,482, Cleveland has a total crime rate of 2,837.4 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.