Is Key West or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Key West is safer than New York City (Safety Score 26/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,612 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 14% lower. Key West has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Key West has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 336.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Key West — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Key West, FL
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Key West | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,611.7 | 3,039.7 | -428.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 352.3 | 671.4 | -319.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 23.4 | +29.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 32.4 | 187.5 | -155.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 267.2 | 456.2 | -189.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,259.4 | 2,368.3 | -108.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 214.6 | 154.7 | +59.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,988.1 | 2,015.0 | -26.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 56.7 | 198.5 | -141.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Key West or New York City safer?
Key West is safer with a total crime rate of 2,612 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Key West has a violent crime rate of 352.3 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Key West has lower violent crime.
About Key West, FL
Key West, a remote island city, is the southernmost point in the continental U.S. and home to Ernest Hemingway's former residence. Its transient population often includes a mix of tourists and long-term residents. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 24,697, Key West has a total crime rate of 2,611.7 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.