Is Morgantown or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Morgantown is safer than New York City (Safety Score 36/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,173 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 29% lower. Morgantown has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Morgantown has a 90% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 272.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Morgantown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Morgantown, WV
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Morgantown | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,173.1 | 3,039.7 | -866.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 213.0 | 671.4 | -458.4 |
| Murder Rate | 13.1 | 3.9 | +9.2 |
| Rape Rate | 59.0 | 23.4 | +35.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 19.7 | 187.5 | -167.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 118.0 | 456.2 | -338.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,960.0 | 2,368.3 | -408.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 114.7 | 154.7 | -40.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,809.2 | 2,015.0 | -205.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 36.1 | 198.5 | -162.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morgantown or New York City safer?
Morgantown is safer with a total crime rate of 2,173 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Morgantown has a violent crime rate of 213.0 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Morgantown has lower violent crime.
About Morgantown, WV
Morgantown, home to West Virginia University, is a city nestled in the Appalachian Mountains along the Monongahela River. Its population of roughly 30,000 is significantly boosted by its large student body, shaping a vibrant yet often transient community. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 30,510, Morgantown has a total crime rate of 2,173.1 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.