Is El Centro or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, El Centro is safer than New York City (Safety Score 53/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 47% lower. El Centro has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where El Centro has a 61% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 190.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
El Centro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
El Centro, CA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | El Centro | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,595.9 | 3,039.7 | -1,443.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 328.4 | 671.4 | -343.1 |
| Murder Rate | 4.6 | 3.9 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 23.0 | 23.4 | -0.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 73.5 | 187.5 | -114.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 227.3 | 456.2 | -228.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,267.5 | 2,368.3 | -1,100.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 475.3 | 154.7 | +320.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 622.3 | 2,015.0 | -1,392.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 169.9 | 198.5 | -28.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Centro or New York City safer?
El Centro is safer with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
El Centro has a violent crime rate of 328.4 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. El Centro has lower violent crime.
About El Centro, CA
El Centro, founded in 1906, is the largest city in Imperial County, situated in the Sonoran Desert. Its economy is largely agricultural, benefiting from irrigation from the Colorado River. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 43,550, El Centro has a total crime rate of 1,595.9 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.