Is Las Cruces or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than Las Cruces (Safety Score 19/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 5,594 for Las Cruces — 46% lower. Las Cruces has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Las Cruces has a 69% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 71.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Las Cruces — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Las Cruces, NM
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Las Cruces | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,594.2 | 3,039.7 | +2,554.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 720.8 | 671.4 | +49.4 |
| Murder Rate | 12.1 | 3.9 | +8.2 |
| Rape Rate | 57.8 | 23.4 | +34.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 57.8 | 187.5 | -129.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 592.4 | 456.2 | +136.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,873.4 | 2,368.3 | +2,505.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 737.2 | 154.7 | +582.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,442.9 | 2,015.0 | +1,427.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 693.2 | 198.5 | +494.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Las Cruces or New York City safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 5,594 for Las Cruces — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Las Cruces has a violent crime rate of 720.8 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. New York City has lower violent crime.
About Las Cruces, NM
Nestled in the Chihuahuan Desert, Las Cruces is New Mexico's second-largest city, known for its vibrant Hatch chile industry. Home to New Mexico State University, it boasts a diverse population and a rich history influenced by Spanish and Mexican cultures. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 115,977, Las Cruces has a total crime rate of 5,594.2 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.