Is New Canaan or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New Canaan is safer than New York City (Safety Score 82/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 787 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 74% 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 York City is 395.7x 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 York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New Canaan, CT
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New Canaan | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 786.7 | 3,039.7 | -2,253.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 9.5 | 671.4 | -661.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 4.8 | 23.4 | -18.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 187.5 | -187.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 4.8 | 456.2 | -451.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 777.2 | 2,368.3 | -1,591.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 76.3 | 154.7 | -78.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 510.2 | 2,015.0 | -1,504.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 190.7 | 198.5 | -7.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Canaan or New York City safer?
New Canaan is safer with a total crime rate of 787 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New Canaan has a violent crime rate of 9.5 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. 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 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.