Is New York City or Rapid City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, New York City is safer than Rapid City (Safety Score 19/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 4,516 for Rapid City — 33% lower. New York City has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Rapid City has a 45% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 102.5x 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
Rapid City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Rapid City, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Rapid City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 4,516.0 | -1,476.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 723.8 | -52.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 6.2 | -2.3 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 135.9 | -112.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 103.8 | +83.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 473.1 | -16.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 3,792.1 | -1,423.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 427.4 | -272.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 2,986.8 | -971.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 378.0 | -179.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Rapid City safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 4,516 for Rapid City — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Rapid City has 723.8. 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 Rapid City, SD
Rapid City, nestled at the foot of the Black Hills, is a gateway to Mount Rushmore. This city in western South Dakota has a population of over 78,000, making it the second largest in the state. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 80,957, Rapid City has a total crime rate of 4,516.0 per 100,000 residents.