Is New York City or Panama City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Panama City is safer than New York City (Safety Score 22/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,838 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 7% lower. New York City has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Panama City has a 87% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 226.5x 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
Panama City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Panama City, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Panama City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 2,838.0 | +201.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 649.5 | +22.0 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 8.2 | -4.3 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 57.3 | -33.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 24.6 | +162.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 559.4 | -103.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 2,188.5 | +179.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 401.1 | -246.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 1,681.0 | +334.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 106.4 | +92.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Panama City safer?
Panama City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,838 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Panama City has 649.5. Panama 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 Panama City, FL
Panama City, Florida, a popular tourist destination, sits on St. Andrew Bay, connecting to the Gulf of Mexico. Its economy heavily relies on tourism, fishing, and Tyndall Air Force Base, a significant local employer. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 36,646, Panama City has a total crime rate of 2,838.0 per 100,000 residents.