Is New York City or Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, New York City is safer than Petersburg (Safety Score 19/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 3,933 for Petersburg — 23% lower. New York City has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New York City has a 91% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 247.5x 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
Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Petersburg, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 3,932.9 | -893.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 1,043.6 | -372.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 44.7 | -40.8 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 62.6 | -39.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 98.4 | +89.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 837.9 | -381.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 2,889.3 | -521.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 286.2 | -131.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 2,185.6 | -170.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 417.4 | -218.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Petersburg safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 3,933 for Petersburg — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Petersburg has 1,043.6. New York 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 Petersburg, VA
Petersburg, a historic city on the Appomattox River, played a pivotal role in the American Civil War. Its population is predominantly African American, contributing to a rich cultural heritage. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 33,538, Petersburg has a total crime rate of 3,932.9 per 100,000 residents.