Is Decatur or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Decatur is safer than New York City (Safety Score 21/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,916 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 4% lower. Decatur has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Decatur has a 76% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 141.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Decatur — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Decatur, AL
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Decatur | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,915.5 | 3,039.7 | -124.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 606.7 | 671.4 | -64.7 |
| Murder Rate | 8.5 | 3.9 | +4.6 |
| Rape Rate | 54.7 | 23.4 | +31.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.4 | 187.5 | -143.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 499.0 | 456.2 | +42.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,308.9 | 2,368.3 | -59.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 193.1 | 154.7 | +38.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,833.8 | 2,015.0 | -181.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 282.0 | 198.5 | +83.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Decatur or New York City safer?
Decatur is safer with a total crime rate of 2,916 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Decatur has a violent crime rate of 606.7 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Decatur has lower violent crime.
About Decatur, AL
Decatur, "The River City," sits on the Tennessee River in Morgan County. This North Alabama city, historically a railroad hub, is now home to a diverse population of over 55,000 residents. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 58,514, Decatur has a total crime rate of 2,915.5 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.