Is New York City or Panama City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 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.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than New York City, NY?
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.
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.