Is New York City or Norfolk Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, New York City is safer than Norfolk (Safety Score 19/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 4,242 for Norfolk — 28% lower. New York City has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New York City has a 76% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 36.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than New York City, NY?
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Norfolk — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Norfolk, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Norfolk | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 4,242.0 | -1,202.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 469.5 | +201.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 16.1 | -12.1 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 40.4 | -16.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 77.2 | +110.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 335.9 | +120.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 3,772.5 | -1,404.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 254.3 | -99.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 3,122.9 | -1,107.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 395.3 | -196.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Norfolk safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 4,242 for Norfolk — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Norfolk has 469.5. Norfolk has lower violent crime.
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.
About Norfolk, VA
Norfolk, a historic port city in Southeast Virginia, is home to the world's largest naval base. Its waterfront location at the mouth of the Elizabeth River shapes its identity and economy, drawing a diverse population. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 230,460, Norfolk has a total crime rate of 4,242.0 per 100,000 residents.