Is Des Plaines or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Des Plaines is safer than New York City (Safety Score 64/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 59% lower. Des Plaines has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Des Plaines has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 145.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Des Plaines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Plaines, IL
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Plaines | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,260.1 | 3,039.7 | -1,779.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 120.6 | 671.4 | -550.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 19.2 | 23.4 | -4.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 24.5 | 187.5 | -163.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 76.9 | 456.2 | -379.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,139.5 | 2,368.3 | -1,228.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 417.7 | 154.7 | +263.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 601.2 | 2,015.0 | -1,413.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 120.6 | 198.5 | -78.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Plaines or New York City safer?
Des Plaines is safer with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 59% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Plaines has a violent crime rate of 120.6 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Des Plaines has lower violent crime.
About Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines, home to the first McDonald's restaurant, sits along the Des Plaines River in Cook County. This suburban city, with a population around 58,000, is a diverse community northwest of Chicago. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 57,218, Des Plaines has a total crime rate of 1,260.1 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.