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 59/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,439 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 53% lower. Lawrence has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lawrence has a 72% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 92.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lawrence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lawrence, MA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lawrence | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,438.6 | 3,039.7 | -1,601.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 439.7 | 671.4 | -231.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.8 | 3.9 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 31.3 | 23.4 | +7.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 52.5 | 187.5 | -135.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 348.2 | 456.2 | -108.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 998.9 | 2,368.3 | -1,369.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 72.5 | 154.7 | -82.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.6 | 2,015.0 | -1,163.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 74.8 | 198.5 | -123.8 |
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 1,439 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lawrence has a violent crime rate of 439.7 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Lawrence has lower violent crime.
About Lawrence, MA
Lawrence, a Merrimack Valley city, was once a thriving textile hub, home to the historic Bread and Roses Strike. Today, it is a diverse community with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 59/100 and a population coverage of 89,600, Lawrence has a total crime rate of 1,438.6 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.