Is Council Bluffs or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Council Bluffs is safer than New York City (Safety Score 21/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,873 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 5% lower. Council Bluffs has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Council Bluffs has a 62% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 133.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Council Bluffs — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Council Bluffs, IA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Council Bluffs | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,873.0 | 3,039.7 | -166.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 420.8 | 671.4 | -250.7 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 3.9 | -0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 72.3 | 23.4 | +48.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 70.7 | 187.5 | -116.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 274.6 | 456.2 | -181.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,452.3 | 2,368.3 | +84.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 486.6 | 154.7 | +331.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,634.8 | 2,015.0 | -380.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 330.8 | 198.5 | +132.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Council Bluffs or New York City safer?
Council Bluffs is safer with a total crime rate of 2,873 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Council Bluffs has a violent crime rate of 420.8 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Council Bluffs has lower violent crime.
About Council Bluffs, IA
Council Bluffs, Iowa, across the Missouri River from Omaha, was a pivotal starting point for the Mormon Trail. This city of over 62,000 residents in Pottawattamie County has a rich railway history. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 62,269, Council Bluffs has a total crime rate of 2,873.0 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.