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 43/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,914 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 37% lower. Lancaster has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lancaster has a 85% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 145.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lancaster — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lancaster, PA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lancaster | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,914.2 | 3,039.7 | -1,125.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 462.3 | 671.4 | -209.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.5 | 3.9 | -0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 31.6 | 23.4 | +8.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 28.1 | 187.5 | -159.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 397.3 | 456.2 | -59.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,451.9 | 2,368.3 | -916.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 107.2 | 154.7 | -47.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,181.2 | 2,015.0 | -833.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 163.5 | 198.5 | -35.1 |
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 1,914 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lancaster has a violent crime rate of 462.3 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Lancaster has lower violent crime.
About Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA, known as the Red Rose City, is a historic city in south-central Pennsylvania. Its diverse population of nearly 60,000 residents includes a significant Amish presence, contributing to its unique cultural landscape. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 56,890, Lancaster has a total crime rate of 1,914.2 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.