Is New York City or San Francisco Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, New York City is safer than San Francisco (Safety Score 19/100 vs 6/100), 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.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than New York City, NY?
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.
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 6/100 and a population coverage of 802,856, San Francisco has a total crime rate of 4,525.6 per 100,000 residents.