Is New York City or Ottawa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Ottawa is safer than New York City (Safety Score 51/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,683 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 45% lower. New York City has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ottawa has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 443.3x 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
Ottawa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Ottawa, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Ottawa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 1,682.5 | +1,357.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 187.0 | +484.5 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 0.0 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 64.1 | -40.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 5.3 | +182.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 117.5 | +338.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 1,495.6 | +872.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 288.4 | -133.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 1,116.3 | +898.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 90.8 | +107.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Ottawa safer?
Ottawa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,683 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Ottawa has 187.0. Ottawa 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 Ottawa, IL
Ottawa, Illinois, nestled at the confluence of the Fox and Illinois Rivers, was the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate. This LaSalle County seat has a population of around 18,000. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 18,722, Ottawa has a total crime rate of 1,682.5 per 100,000 residents.