Is Fargo or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than Fargo (Safety Score 19/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 4,195 for Fargo — 28% lower. Fargo has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Fargo has a 59% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 61.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fargo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fargo, ND
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fargo | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,195.1 | 3,039.7 | +1,155.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 498.2 | 671.4 | -173.2 |
| Murder Rate | 4.4 | 3.9 | +0.5 |
| Rape Rate | 102.5 | 23.4 | +79.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 187.5 | -110.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 314.0 | 456.2 | -142.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,696.9 | 2,368.3 | +1,328.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 741.4 | 154.7 | +586.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,600.9 | 2,015.0 | +585.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 354.5 | 198.5 | +156.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fargo or New York City safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 4,195 for Fargo — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fargo has a violent crime rate of 498.2 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Fargo has lower violent crime.
About Fargo, ND
Fargo, North Dakota, a city of over 120,000, sits on the Red River of the North, forming a metropolitan area with Moorhead, Minnesota. Home to North Dakota State University, it's a regional hub for agriculture and technology. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 135,682, Fargo has a total crime rate of 4,195.1 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.