Is Elmira or Philadelphia Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elmira is safer than Philadelphia (Safety Score 5/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,684 per 100,000 versus 5,458 for Philadelphia — 14% lower. Elmira has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Elmira has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Philadelphia is 59.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Elmira — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Philadelphia — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elmira, NY
Philadelphia, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elmira | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,684.3 | 5,458.5 | -774.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 547.3 | 910.3 | -363.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.8 | 16.9 | -13.1 |
| Rape Rate | 19.1 | 46.1 | -27.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 84.2 | 273.2 | -189.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 440.1 | 572.5 | -132.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,137.0 | 4,548.2 | -411.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 428.6 | 319.0 | +109.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,631.8 | 3,223.6 | +408.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 76.5 | 1,005.6 | -929.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elmira or Philadelphia safer?
Elmira is safer with a total crime rate of 4,684 per 100K vs 5,458 for Philadelphia — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elmira has a violent crime rate of 547.3 per 100K while Philadelphia has 910.3. Elmira has lower violent crime.
About Elmira, NY
Elmira, a city in Chemung County, sits along the Chemung River in the Southern Tier of New York. It was home to a Civil War prison camp and is known for its historic architecture. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 26,130, Elmira has a total crime rate of 4,684.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, is Pennsylvania's largest city. Situated along the Delaware River, its diverse population contributes to a rich urban tapestry. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,549,259, Philadelphia has a total crime rate of 5,458.5 per 100,000 residents.