Is New York City or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rochester is safer than New York City (Safety Score 66/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,221 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 60% 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 245.3x 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
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Rochester, NH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 1,220.8 | +1,818.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 76.9 | +594.6 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 0.0 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 35.5 | -12.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 11.8 | +175.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 29.6 | +426.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 1,143.9 | +1,224.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 59.1 | +95.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 999.1 | +1,015.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 85.7 | +112.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Rochester safer?
Rochester is safer with a total crime rate of 1,221 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Rochester has 76.9. 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, NH
Rochester, once a major shoemaking hub, sits along the Cocheco River in Strafford County. This small city in southeastern New Hampshire is home to over 32,000 residents. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 33,831, Rochester has a total crime rate of 1,220.8 per 100,000 residents.