Is New York City or San Francisco Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than San Francisco (Safety Score 19/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 4,526 for San Francisco — 33% 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 40% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 10.3x 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
San Francisco — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
San Francisco, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 4,525.6 | -1,485.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 596.5 | +74.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 4.4 | -0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 34.9 | -11.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 267.2 | -79.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 290.1 | +166.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 3,929.1 | -1,560.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 637.5 | -482.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 2,618.9 | -603.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 672.7 | -474.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or San Francisco safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 4,526 for San Francisco — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while San Francisco has 596.5. San Francisco 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 San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, a vibrant Northern California port city renowned for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, spans a hilly peninsula. Home to a diverse population of nearly 850,000, it was a pivotal center of the counterculture movement in the 1960s. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 802,856, San Francisco has a total crime rate of 4,525.6 per 100,000 residents.