Is New York City or San Luis Obispo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than San Luis Obispo (Safety Score 19/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 3,093 for San Luis Obispo — 2% lower. New York City has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Luis Obispo has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 166.2x 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 Luis Obispo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
San Luis Obispo, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | San Luis Obispo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 3,093.2 | -53.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 424.4 | +247.0 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 0.0 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 60.1 | -36.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 82.1 | +105.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 282.3 | +173.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 2,668.8 | -300.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 322.3 | -167.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 2,196.3 | -181.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 150.2 | +48.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or San Luis Obispo safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 3,093 for San Luis Obispo — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while San Luis Obispo has 424.4. San Luis Obispo 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 Luis Obispo, CA
Nestled in California's Central Coast, San Luis Obispo is home to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, founded in 1772. This city of roughly 47,000 residents boasts a vibrant downtown and is surrounded by rolling hills. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 49,948, San Luis Obispo has a total crime rate of 3,093.2 per 100,000 residents.