Is New York City or Santa Maria Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Santa Maria is safer than New York City (Safety Score 28/100 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.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than New York City, NY?
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.
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 28/100 and a population coverage of 110,056, Santa Maria has a total crime rate of 2,543.3 per 100,000 residents.