Is Lake Wales or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Wales is safer than New York City (Safety Score 47/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,772 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 42% lower. Lake Wales has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Wales has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 493.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Wales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Wales, FL
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Wales | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,772.4 | 3,039.7 | -1,267.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 243.9 | 671.4 | -427.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 23.8 | 23.4 | +0.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.8 | 187.5 | -169.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 202.2 | 456.2 | -254.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,528.6 | 2,368.3 | -839.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 190.3 | 154.7 | +35.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,189.6 | 2,015.0 | -825.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 148.7 | 198.5 | -49.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Wales or New York City safer?
Lake Wales is safer with a total crime rate of 1,772 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Wales has a violent crime rate of 243.9 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Lake Wales has lower violent crime.
About Lake Wales, FL
Lake Wales, home to Bok Tower Gardens, sits in Polk County, Florida. This city in the geographic center of the state has a population of around 17,000. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 16,813, Lake Wales has a total crime rate of 1,772.4 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.