Is Columbus or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbus is safer than New York City (Safety Score 74/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,012 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 67% lower. Columbus has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Columbus has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 337.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, NE
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,012.4 | 3,039.7 | -2,027.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 85.4 | 671.4 | -586.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 44.7 | 23.4 | +21.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 4.1 | 187.5 | -183.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 36.6 | 456.2 | -419.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 927.0 | 2,368.3 | -1,441.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 93.5 | 154.7 | -61.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 768.5 | 2,015.0 | -1,246.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 65.1 | 198.5 | -133.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus or New York City safer?
Columbus is safer with a total crime rate of 1,012 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 67% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 85.4 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Columbus has lower violent crime.
About Columbus, NE
Columbus, Nebraska, a city named after Christopher Columbus, sits on the Loup and Platte Rivers. It is the county seat of Platte County and has a population of over 24,000. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 24,595, Columbus has a total crime rate of 1,012.4 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.