Is Lawrence or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lawrence is safer than New York City (Safety Score 26/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,627 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 14% lower. Lawrence has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lawrence has a 82% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 85.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lawrence — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lawrence, KS
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lawrence | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,627.4 | 3,039.7 | -412.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 470.8 | 671.4 | -200.6 |
| Murder Rate | 5.2 | 3.9 | +1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 74.5 | 23.4 | +51.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.1 | 187.5 | -154.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 348.7 | 456.2 | -107.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,156.6 | 2,368.3 | -211.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 229.7 | 154.7 | +75.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,762.3 | 2,015.0 | -252.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 164.5 | 198.5 | -34.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawrence or New York City safer?
Lawrence is safer with a total crime rate of 2,627 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lawrence has a violent crime rate of 470.8 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Lawrence has lower violent crime.
About Lawrence, KS
Lawrence, Kansas, home to the University of Kansas Jayhawks, sits on the Kansas River. This vibrant college town, with a population around 97,000, played a significant role in the Bleeding Kansas era. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 96,636, Lawrence has a total crime rate of 2,627.4 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.