Is Elon or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elon is safer than New York City (Safety Score 96/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 388 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 87% lower. Elon has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Elon has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 716.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Elon — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elon, NC
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elon | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 388.4 | 3,039.7 | -2,651.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 77.7 | 671.4 | -593.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 25.9 | 23.4 | +2.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 187.5 | -187.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 51.8 | 456.2 | -404.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 310.8 | 2,368.3 | -2,057.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 69.1 | 154.7 | -85.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 207.2 | 2,015.0 | -1,807.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 34.5 | 198.5 | -164.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elon or New York City safer?
Elon is safer with a total crime rate of 388 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 87% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elon has a violent crime rate of 77.7 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Elon has lower violent crime.
About Elon, NC
Elon, North Carolina, home to Elon University, is a small town in Alamance County. Its population is predominantly young due to the university's presence. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 11,585, Elon has a total crime rate of 388.4 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.