Is Hayward or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than Hayward (Safety Score 19/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 4,134 for Hayward — 26% lower. Hayward has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New York City has a 50% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 54.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hayward — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hayward, CA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hayward | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,133.8 | 3,039.7 | +1,094.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 477.1 | 671.4 | -194.3 |
| Murder Rate | 7.8 | 3.9 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 46.9 | 23.4 | +23.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 174.0 | 187.5 | -13.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 248.3 | 456.2 | -207.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,656.7 | 2,368.3 | +1,288.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 364.4 | 154.7 | +209.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,915.7 | 2,015.0 | -99.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,376.6 | 198.5 | +1,178.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hayward or New York City safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 4,134 for Hayward — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hayward has a violent crime rate of 477.1 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Hayward has lower violent crime.
About Hayward, CA
Hayward, a diverse city in Alameda County, sits on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. Home to California State University, East Bay, it was once a major agricultural producer, especially known for its cherries and tomatoes. Its population is over 160,000 residents. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 153,419, Hayward has a total crime rate of 4,133.8 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.