Is New York City or Oakland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 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.
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 2024.
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.