Is New Canaan or New Haven Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New Canaan is safer than New Haven (Safety Score 82/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 787 per 100,000 versus 4,123 for New Haven — 81% lower. New Canaan has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New Canaan has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New Haven is 6.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
New Canaan — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New Haven — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New Canaan, CT
New Haven, CT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New Canaan | New Haven | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 786.7 | 4,123.3 | -3,336.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 9.5 | 536.3 | -526.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 10.9 | -10.9 |
| Rape Rate | 4.8 | 32.1 | -27.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 180.7 | -180.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 4.8 | 311.1 | -306.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 777.2 | 3,587.1 | -2,809.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 76.3 | 377.4 | -301.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 510.2 | 2,402.3 | -1,892.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 190.7 | 807.3 | -616.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Canaan or New Haven safer?
New Canaan is safer with a total crime rate of 787 per 100K vs 4,123 for New Haven — a 81% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New Canaan has a violent crime rate of 9.5 per 100K while New Haven has 536.3. New Canaan has lower violent crime.
About New Canaan, CT
New Canaan, a wealthy Fairfield County suburb, is known for its mid-century modern architecture. Situated near the Merritt Parkway, its affluent residents enjoy a quiet, tree-lined environment. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 20,973, New Canaan has a total crime rate of 786.7 per 100,000 residents.
About New Haven, CT
Home to Yale University since 1701, New Haven is a coastal city in south-central Connecticut. Its diverse population is roughly 135,000 residents. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 137,243, New Haven has a total crime rate of 4,123.3 per 100,000 residents.