Is Madison or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Madison is safer than New York City (Safety Score 95/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 421 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 86% lower. Madison has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Madison has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 498.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Madison — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Madison, NJ
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Madison | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 420.6 | 3,039.7 | -2,619.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 12.0 | 671.4 | -659.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 23.4 | -23.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.0 | 187.5 | -181.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 6.0 | 456.2 | -450.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 408.6 | 2,368.3 | -1,959.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 6.0 | 154.7 | -148.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 396.6 | 2,015.0 | -1,618.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 6.0 | 198.5 | -192.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madison or New York City safer?
Madison is safer with a total crime rate of 421 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 86% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Madison has a violent crime rate of 12.0 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Madison has lower violent crime.
About Madison, NJ
Madison, a borough in Morris County, is home to Drew University and its arboretum. This affluent community, with a median household income significantly above the state average, retains a charming downtown. With a safety score of 95/100 and a population coverage of 16,643, Madison has a total crime rate of 420.6 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.