Is New York City or Santa Maria Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Maria is safer than New York City (Safety Score 27/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,543 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 16% lower. New York City has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Maria has a 30% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 75.4x 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
Santa Maria — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Santa Maria, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Santa Maria | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 2,543.3 | +496.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 660.6 | +10.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 2.7 | +1.2 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 68.2 | -44.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 173.6 | +13.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 416.2 | +40.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 1,882.7 | +485.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 312.6 | -157.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 1,149.4 | +865.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 420.7 | -222.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Santa Maria safer?
Santa Maria is safer with a total crime rate of 2,543 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Santa Maria has 660.6. Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria, CA
Santa Maria, California, a city in northern Santa Barbara County, is known for its barbecue and wine industry. It is the most populous city in the county, with a diverse, predominantly Hispanic population. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 110,056, Santa Maria has a total crime rate of 2,543.3 per 100,000 residents.