Is New York City or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 19/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 5% lower. New York City has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Jose has a 31% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 8.7x 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 Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 3,194.8 | -155.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 606.9 | +64.5 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 2.7 | +1.2 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 77.3 | -53.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 140.8 | +46.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 386.0 | +70.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 2,587.9 | -219.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 427.0 | -272.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 1,523.2 | +491.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 637.6 | -439.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or San Jose safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. San Jose 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 Jose, CA
San Jose, the largest city in Northern California, is a diverse Silicon Valley hub with a rich history, once serving as California's first state capital. Located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay, its population reflects a broad range of ethnicities and income levels. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 956,840, San Jose has a total crime rate of 3,194.8 per 100,000 residents.