Is Decatur or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than Decatur (Safety Score 19/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 3,471 for Decatur — 12% lower. Decatur has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Decatur has a 50% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 122.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Decatur — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Decatur, IL
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Decatur | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,471.0 | 3,039.7 | +431.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 603.5 | 671.4 | -67.9 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 3.9 | +3.4 |
| Rape Rate | 45.6 | 23.4 | +22.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 94.2 | 187.5 | -93.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 454.9 | 456.2 | -1.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,867.5 | 2,368.3 | +499.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 927.4 | 154.7 | +772.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,532.4 | 2,015.0 | -482.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 407.8 | 198.5 | +209.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Decatur or New York City safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 3,471 for Decatur — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Decatur has a violent crime rate of 603.5 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Decatur has lower violent crime.
About Decatur, IL
Decatur, a Central Illinois city, sits on the Sangamon River and boasts a rich agricultural heritage. It's home to Millikin University and a diverse population, with a significant portion of its residents identifying as African American. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 67,934, Decatur has a total crime rate of 3,471.0 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.