Is Ferguson or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than Ferguson (Safety Score 19/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 4,211 for Ferguson — 28% lower. Ferguson has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New York City has a 88% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 465.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ferguson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ferguson, MO
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ferguson | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,210.8 | 3,039.7 | +1,171.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 712.1 | 671.4 | +40.7 |
| Murder Rate | 33.6 | 3.9 | +29.7 |
| Rape Rate | 28.0 | 23.4 | +4.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 123.4 | 187.5 | -64.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 527.1 | 456.2 | +70.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,498.7 | 2,368.3 | +1,130.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 555.1 | 154.7 | +400.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,040.9 | 2,015.0 | +25.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 902.7 | 198.5 | +704.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ferguson or New York City safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 4,211 for Ferguson — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ferguson has a violent crime rate of 712.1 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. New York City has lower violent crime.
About Ferguson, MO
Ferguson, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, has a rich history rooted in its founding in 1894 as a railroad stop. Today, its diverse population of around 18,000 residents reflects a community with a median age in the early 30s. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 17,835, Ferguson has a total crime rate of 4,210.8 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.