Is Foster City or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Foster City is safer than New York City (Safety Score 84/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 739 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 76% lower. Foster City has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Foster City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 262.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Foster City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Foster City, CA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Foster City | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 738.6 | 3,039.7 | -2,301.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 69.4 | 671.4 | -602.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 6.3 | 23.4 | -17.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 22.1 | 187.5 | -165.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 41.0 | 456.2 | -415.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 669.2 | 2,368.3 | -1,699.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 22.1 | 154.7 | -132.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 555.6 | 2,015.0 | -1,459.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 91.5 | 198.5 | -107.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Foster City or New York City safer?
Foster City is safer with a total crime rate of 739 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 76% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Foster City has a violent crime rate of 69.4 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Foster City has lower violent crime.
About Foster City, CA
Foster City, a master-planned community built on reclaimed land in San Mateo County, sits on the San Francisco Peninsula. Its lagoons and canals, a defining feature, are home to a diverse population of over 30,000 residents. With a safety score of 84/100 and a population coverage of 31,680, Foster City has a total crime rate of 738.6 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.