Is New York City or Prospect Heights Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Prospect Heights is safer than New York City (Safety Score 84/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 747 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 75% lower. New York City has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Prospect Heights has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 548.8x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than New York City, NY?
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Prospect Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Prospect Heights, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Prospect Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 747.3 | +2,292.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 158.7 | +512.7 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 0.0 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 19.8 | +3.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 13.2 | +174.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 125.6 | +330.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 588.6 | +1,779.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 125.6 | +29.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 376.9 | +1,638.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 86.0 | +112.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Prospect Heights safer?
Prospect Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 747 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Prospect Heights has 158.7. Prospect Heights 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 Prospect Heights, IL
Prospect Heights, Illinois, a small city in Cook County, is home to Chicago Executive Airport, a significant regional general aviation hub. Its tree-lined streets and residential character reflect a suburban community that grew around its convenient transportation access. With a safety score of 84/100 and a population coverage of 15,122, Prospect Heights has a total crime rate of 747.3 per 100,000 residents.