Is Lowell or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lowell is safer than New York City (Safety Score 35/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,195 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 28% lower. Lowell has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lowell has a 70% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 71.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lowell — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lowell, MA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lowell | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,195.4 | 3,039.7 | -844.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 532.5 | 671.4 | -139.0 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 3.9 | +0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 6.9 | 23.4 | -16.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 56.9 | 187.5 | -130.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 464.4 | 456.2 | +8.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,662.9 | 2,368.3 | -705.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 149.9 | 154.7 | -4.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,309.6 | 2,015.0 | -705.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 203.3 | 198.5 | +4.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lowell or New York City safer?
Lowell is safer with a total crime rate of 2,195 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lowell has a violent crime rate of 532.5 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Lowell has lower violent crime.
About Lowell, MA
Lowell, a historic mill city on the Merrimack River, was a birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Its diverse population includes a significant Cambodian American community. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 116,062, Lowell has a total crime rate of 2,195.4 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.