Is New York City or Oakland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, New York City is safer than Oakland (Safety Score 19/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 9,156 for Oakland — 67% lower. New York City has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New York City has a 79% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 19.1x 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
Oakland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Oakland, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Oakland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 9,155.7 | -6,116.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 1,925.3 | -1,253.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 18.6 | -14.7 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 68.0 | -44.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 680.4 | -492.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 1,158.3 | -702.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 7,230.3 | -4,862.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 786.8 | -632.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 4,164.7 | -2,149.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 2,278.9 | -2,080.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Oakland safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 9,156 for Oakland — a 67% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Oakland has 1,925.3. New York City 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 Oakland, CA
Oakland, a diverse East Bay city, boasts a rich history of activism and art, including its vibrant jazz scene. Geographically, it sits on the San Francisco Bay's eastern shore, home to a significant port and varied topography. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 435,042, Oakland has a total crime rate of 9,155.7 per 100,000 residents.