Is Forest Lake or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Forest Lake 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 — 48% lower. Forest Lake has lower rates in 6 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Forest Lake has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 401.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Forest Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Forest Lake, MN
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Forest Lake | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,595.7 | 3,039.7 | -1,444.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 120.9 | 671.4 | -550.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 19.3 | 23.4 | -4.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 4.8 | 187.5 | -182.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 96.7 | 456.2 | -359.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,474.9 | 2,368.3 | -893.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 154.7 | +0.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,213.7 | 2,015.0 | -801.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 106.4 | 198.5 | -92.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forest Lake or New York City safer?
Forest Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Forest Lake has a violent crime rate of 120.9 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Forest Lake has lower violent crime.
About Forest Lake, MN
Forest Lake, MN, a northern suburb of St. Paul, was once a popular resort town. Situated around the lake of the same name, its population was 20,612 as of 2020. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 20,680, Forest Lake has a total crime rate of 1,595.7 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.