Is New York City or River Forest Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, River Forest is safer than New York City (Safety Score 27/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,563 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 16% lower. New York City has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where River Forest has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 749.0x 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
River Forest — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
River Forest, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | River Forest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 2,563.2 | +476.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 90.3 | +581.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 0.0 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 0.0 | +23.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 45.1 | +142.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 45.1 | +411.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 2,472.9 | -104.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 577.6 | -422.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 1,841.2 | +173.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 54.2 | +144.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or River Forest safer?
River Forest is safer with a total crime rate of 2,563 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while River Forest has 90.3. River Forest 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 River Forest, IL
River Forest is an affluent, tree-lined Chicago suburb known for its historic architecture, including numerous Frank Lloyd Wright homes. Situated along the Des Plaines River, it boasts a highly educated population. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 11,080, River Forest has a total crime rate of 2,563.2 per 100,000 residents.