Is New York City or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Salem is safer than New York City (Safety Score 50/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 44% lower. New York City has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Salem has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 180.6x 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
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Salem, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 1,706.0 | +1,333.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 152.3 | +519.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 0.0 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 13.1 | +10.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 34.8 | +152.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 104.5 | +351.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 1,553.7 | +814.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 106.6 | +48.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 1,347.0 | +668.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 100.1 | +98.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Salem safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 44% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Salem has 152.3. Salem 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 Salem, MA
Salem, Massachusetts, renowned for the 1692 witch trials, is a small coastal city north of Boston. Its population is approximately 45,000, with a significant portion employed in tourism and education. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 45,955, Salem has a total crime rate of 1,706.0 per 100,000 residents.