Is New York City or Pasadena Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than Pasadena (Safety Score 19/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 3,178 for Pasadena — 4% lower. New York City has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pasadena has a 81% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 62.9x 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
Pasadena — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Pasadena, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Pasadena | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 3,178.1 | -138.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 481.2 | +190.3 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 0.8 | +3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 33.3 | -9.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 119.7 | +67.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 326.6 | +129.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 2,696.9 | -328.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 557.0 | -402.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 1,864.9 | +150.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 275.1 | -76.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Pasadena safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 3,178 for Pasadena — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Pasadena has 481.2. Pasadena 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 Pasadena, CA
Pasadena, nestled at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, is famous for the Rose Bowl Parade. This affluent city in Los Angeles County is home to a diverse population. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 131,966, Pasadena has a total crime rate of 3,178.1 per 100,000 residents.