Is Grand Rapids or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Grand Rapids is safer than New York City (Safety Score 69/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,121 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 63% lower. Grand Rapids has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Grand Rapids has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 732.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Grand Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MN
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,120.6 | 3,039.7 | -1,919.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 88.2 | 671.4 | -583.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 8.8 | 23.4 | -14.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 187.5 | -187.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 79.4 | 456.2 | -376.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,032.4 | 2,368.3 | -1,335.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 17.7 | 154.7 | -137.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,014.7 | 2,015.0 | -1,000.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 0.0 | 198.5 | -198.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or New York City safer?
Grand Rapids is safer with a total crime rate of 1,121 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 88.2 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Grand Rapids has lower violent crime.
About Grand Rapids, MN
Grand Rapids, Minnesota, a city of 11,000 in Itasca County, is home to the Forest History Center. Known as the birthplace of Judy Garland, it sits on the Mississippi River, surrounded by lakes and forests. With a safety score of 69/100 and a population coverage of 11,333, Grand Rapids has a total crime rate of 1,120.6 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.