Is New York City or Ottumwa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Ottumwa is safer than New York City (Safety Score 19/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 3,014 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 1% lower. New York City has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ottumwa has a 85% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 329.5x 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
Ottumwa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Ottumwa, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Ottumwa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 3,013.7 | +26.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 397.1 | +274.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 7.9 | -4.0 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 83.4 | -60.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 27.8 | +159.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 277.9 | +178.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 2,616.6 | -248.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 428.8 | -274.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 1,945.6 | +69.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 242.2 | -43.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Ottumwa safer?
Ottumwa is safer with a total crime rate of 3,014 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Ottumwa has 397.1. Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa, IA
Ottumwa, once a prominent coal mining center and home to the Beach Ottumwa water park, is a city in Wapello County, Iowa, situated along the Des Moines River. Its population was around 25,000 residents in 2020. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 25,185, Ottumwa has a total crime rate of 3,013.7 per 100,000 residents.