Is East Palo Alto or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, East Palo Alto is safer than New York City (Safety Score 28/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,527 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 17% lower. East Palo Alto has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New York City has a 46% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 300.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
East Palo Alto — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
East Palo Alto, CA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | East Palo Alto | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,526.8 | 3,039.7 | -512.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 607.3 | 671.4 | -64.1 |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 3.9 | +3.3 |
| Rape Rate | 94.0 | 23.4 | +70.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 213.3 | 187.5 | +25.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 292.8 | 456.2 | -163.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,919.5 | 2,368.3 | -448.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 108.5 | 154.7 | -46.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,352.0 | 2,015.0 | -663.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 459.1 | 198.5 | +260.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Palo Alto or New York City safer?
East Palo Alto is safer with a total crime rate of 2,527 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
East Palo Alto has a violent crime rate of 607.3 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. East Palo Alto has lower violent crime.
About East Palo Alto, CA
East Palo Alto, California, a city incorporated in 1983, sits on the San Francisco Bay's western shore. It is the only city in San Mateo County that primarily has a Black and Hispanic population. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 27,663, East Palo Alto has a total crime rate of 2,526.8 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.