Is Dekalb or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Dekalb is safer than New York City (Safety Score 21/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,907 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 4% lower. Dekalb has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Dekalb has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 206.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dekalb — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dekalb, IL
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dekalb | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,907.4 | 3,039.7 | -132.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 393.0 | 671.4 | -278.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 151.7 | 23.4 | +128.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 34.8 | 187.5 | -152.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 206.4 | 456.2 | -249.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,514.4 | 2,368.3 | +146.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 338.2 | 154.7 | +183.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,124.0 | 2,015.0 | +109.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 52.2 | 198.5 | -146.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dekalb or New York City safer?
Dekalb is safer with a total crime rate of 2,907 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dekalb has a violent crime rate of 393.0 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Dekalb has lower violent crime.
About Dekalb, IL
DeKalb, Illinois, home to Northern Illinois University, is a city in DeKalb County, about 65 miles west of Chicago. It's known as the "Barb City" due to Joseph Glidden's invention of barbed wire here. The population is diverse, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 40,208, Dekalb has a total crime rate of 2,907.4 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.