Is New York City or Pontiac Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Pontiac is safer than New York City (Safety Score 53/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,597 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 47% lower. New York City has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pontiac has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 757.4x 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
Pontiac — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Pontiac, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Pontiac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 1,597.0 | +1,442.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 237.3 | +434.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 0.0 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 109.5 | -86.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 0.0 | +187.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 127.8 | +328.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 1,359.7 | +1,008.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 109.5 | +45.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 1,204.6 | +810.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 45.6 | +152.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Pontiac safer?
Pontiac is safer with a total crime rate of 1,597 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Pontiac has 237.3. Pontiac 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 Pontiac, IL
Pontiac, Illinois, the county seat of Livingston County, is a small city on the Vermilion River. It's home to several historic Route 66 attractions and has a population of around 11,000. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 10,958, Pontiac has a total crime rate of 1,597.0 per 100,000 residents.