Is New York City or Novato Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Novato is safer than New York City (Safety Score 53/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,608 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 47% lower. New York City has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Novato has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 161.9x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than New York City, NY?
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Novato — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Novato, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Novato | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 1,607.6 | +1,432.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 253.6 | +417.8 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 0.0 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 33.2 | -9.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 46.8 | +140.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 173.6 | +282.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 1,353.9 | +1,014.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 78.0 | +76.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 1,114.0 | +901.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 161.9 | +36.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Novato safer?
Novato is safer with a total crime rate of 1,608 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Novato has 253.6. Novato 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 Novato, CA
Novato, a Marin County city, was once home to Hamilton Air Force Base. Today, its diverse population of over 50,000 resides in a landscape dotted with wetlands and rolling hills. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 51,258, Novato has a total crime rate of 1,607.6 per 100,000 residents.