Is Lancaster or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lancaster is safer than New York City (Safety Score 28/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,531 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 17% lower. Lancaster has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lancaster has a 91% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 199.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lancaster — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lancaster, OH
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lancaster | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,530.8 | 3,039.7 | -508.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 405.4 | 671.4 | -266.0 |
| Murder Rate | 12.0 | 3.9 | +8.1 |
| Rape Rate | 86.4 | 23.4 | +63.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 16.8 | 187.5 | -170.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 290.3 | 456.2 | -166.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,125.4 | 2,368.3 | -242.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 194.3 | 154.7 | +39.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,808.7 | 2,015.0 | -206.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 122.3 | 198.5 | -76.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lancaster or New York City safer?
Lancaster is safer with a total crime rate of 2,531 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lancaster has a violent crime rate of 405.4 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Lancaster has lower violent crime.
About Lancaster, OH
Lancaster, Ohio, founded in 1800, is a city in Fairfield County known for being the birthplace of General William Tecumseh Sherman. Situated along the Hocking River, its population hovers around 40,000 residents. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 41,687, Lancaster has a total crime rate of 2,530.8 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.