Is Hays or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hays is safer than New York City (Safety Score 50/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,694 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 44% lower. Hays has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hays has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 395.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hays — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hays, KS
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hays | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,694.4 | 3,039.7 | -1,345.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 233.2 | 671.4 | -438.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 57.1 | 23.4 | +33.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.5 | 187.5 | -178.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 166.6 | 456.2 | -289.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,461.1 | 2,368.3 | -907.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 171.3 | 154.7 | +16.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,218.4 | 2,015.0 | -796.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 71.4 | 198.5 | -127.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hays or New York City safer?
Hays is safer with a total crime rate of 1,694 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 44% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hays has a violent crime rate of 233.2 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Hays has lower violent crime.
About Hays, KS
Hays, Kansas, once a frontier outpost for Fort Hays, is a city in Ellis County with a population of around 21,000. Located on I-70 in the High Plains, it's home to Fort Hays State University. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 21,011, Hays has a total crime rate of 1,694.4 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.