Is New York City or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Rochester is safer than New York City (Safety Score 96/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 401 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 87% lower. New York City has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Rochester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 653.2x 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
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Rochester, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 401.4 | +2,638.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 23.6 | +647.8 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 0.0 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 0.0 | +23.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 0.0 | +187.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 23.6 | +432.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 377.8 | +1,990.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 7.9 | +146.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 330.6 | +1,684.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 39.4 | +159.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Rochester safer?
Rochester is safer with a total crime rate of 401 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 87% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Rochester has 23.6. Rochester 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 Rochester, MI
Rochester, Michigan, founded along the Clinton River, is a suburban community in Oakland County. This affluent area is known for its vibrant downtown and was home to Meadow Brook Hall, a historic estate. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 12,706, Rochester has a total crime rate of 401.4 per 100,000 residents.