Is New York City or San Rafael Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Rafael is safer than New York City (Safety Score 19/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 3,015 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 1% lower. New York City has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Rafael has a 57% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 140.6x 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 Rafael — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
San Rafael, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | San Rafael | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 3,015.1 | +24.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 559.0 | +112.5 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 1.7 | +2.2 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 50.8 | -27.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 149.1 | +38.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 357.4 | +98.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 2,456.1 | -87.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 264.2 | -109.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 1,770.1 | +244.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 421.8 | -223.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or San Rafael safer?
San Rafael is safer with a total crime rate of 3,015 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while San Rafael has 559.0. San Rafael 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 Rafael, CA
Nestled in Marin County, San Rafael is a Bay Area city with a rich history, home to Mission San Rafael Arcángel, one of California's original missions. Its diverse population of over 60,000 residents reflects a blend of suburban charm and urban accessibility. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 59,037, San Rafael has a total crime rate of 3,015.1 per 100,000 residents.