Is New Haven or Watertown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Watertown is safer than New Haven (Safety Score 68/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,164 per 100,000 versus 4,123 for New Haven — 72% lower. New Haven has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Watertown has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New Haven is 6.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
New Haven — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Watertown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New Haven, CT
Watertown, CT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New Haven | Watertown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,123.3 | 1,164.0 | +2,959.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 536.3 | 13.4 | +522.9 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 0.0 | +10.9 |
| Rape Rate | 32.1 | 4.5 | +27.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 180.7 | 0.0 | +180.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.1 | 9.0 | +302.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,587.1 | 1,150.6 | +2,436.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 377.4 | 89.5 | +287.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,402.3 | 895.4 | +1,506.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 807.3 | 165.6 | +641.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Haven or Watertown safer?
Watertown is safer with a total crime rate of 1,164 per 100K vs 4,123 for New Haven — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New Haven has a violent crime rate of 536.3 per 100K while Watertown has 13.4. Watertown has lower violent crime.
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.
About Watertown, CT
Watertown, CT, once home to the Taft School, is a suburban town in Litchfield County. Its rolling hills and proximity to Waterbury define its landscape and the lives of its roughly 22,000 residents. With a safety score of 68/100 and a population coverage of 22,337, Watertown has a total crime rate of 1,164.0 per 100,000 residents.