Is Lake Forest or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Forest is safer than New York City (Safety Score 87/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 646 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 79% lower. Lake Forest has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Forest has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 428.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Forest — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Forest, IL
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Forest | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 645.8 | 3,039.7 | -2,393.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 20.7 | 671.4 | -650.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 5.2 | 23.4 | -18.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 187.5 | -187.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 15.5 | 456.2 | -440.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 625.1 | 2,368.3 | -1,743.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 206.6 | 154.7 | +51.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 361.6 | 2,015.0 | -1,653.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 56.8 | 198.5 | -141.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Forest or New York City safer?
Lake Forest is safer with a total crime rate of 646 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 79% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Forest has a violent crime rate of 20.7 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Lake Forest has lower violent crime.
About Lake Forest, IL
Nestled on Chicago's North Shore, Lake Forest is an affluent suburban community home to esteemed institutions like Lake Forest College. Its tree-lined streets and historic mansions, many dating back to the late 19th century, reflect a long-standing commitment to preserving its architectural heritage. With a safety score of 87/100 and a population coverage of 19,357, Lake Forest has a total crime rate of 645.8 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.