Is New York City or Salt Lake City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than Salt Lake City (Safety Score 19/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 6,064 for Salt Lake City — 50% lower. New York City has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where New York City has a 54% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 39.0x 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
Salt Lake City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Salt Lake City, UT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Salt Lake City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 6,064.2 | -3,024.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 864.2 | -192.8 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 5.2 | -1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 158.5 | -135.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 183.4 | +4.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 517.2 | -61.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 5,200.0 | -2,831.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 551.1 | -396.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 4,184.8 | -2,169.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 464.1 | -265.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Salt Lake City safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 6,064 for Salt Lake City — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Salt Lake City has 864.2. 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 Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City, founded by Brigham Young, serves as the global headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nestled against the Wasatch Mountains, it is Utah's most populous city with a diverse and growing tech industry. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 212,675, Salt Lake City has a total crime rate of 6,064.2 per 100,000 residents.