Is Lafayette or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lafayette is safer than New York City (Safety Score 61/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,348 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 56% lower. Lafayette has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lafayette has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 332.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lafayette — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette, CA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lafayette | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,347.6 | 3,039.7 | -1,692.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 80.2 | 671.4 | -591.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 23.4 | -23.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 40.1 | 187.5 | -147.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 40.1 | 456.2 | -416.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,267.4 | 2,368.3 | -1,100.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 104.3 | 154.7 | -50.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,102.9 | 2,015.0 | -912.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 60.2 | 198.5 | -138.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafayette or New York City safer?
Lafayette is safer with a total crime rate of 1,348 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 80.2 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Lafayette has lower violent crime.
About Lafayette, CA
Nestled in the East Bay hills, Lafayette is a suburban community known for its top-rated schools and the annual "Reservoir Run." This affluent town, largely composed of families and commuters, offers a peaceful, tree-lined environment. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 24,934, Lafayette has a total crime rate of 1,347.6 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.