Is New York City or Santa Monica Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than Santa Monica (Safety Score 19/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 5,573 for Santa Monica — 45% lower. New York City has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where New York City has a 51% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 93.3x 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 Monica — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Santa Monica, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Santa Monica | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 5,572.9 | -2,533.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 782.5 | -111.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 4.5 | -0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 72.0 | -48.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 202.4 | -14.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 499.2 | -43.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 4,790.4 | -2,422.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 848.8 | -694.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 3,382.9 | -1,367.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 558.8 | -360.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Santa Monica safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 5,573 for Santa Monica — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Santa Monica has 782.5. New York City 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 Monica, CA
Santa Monica, a coastal city west of downtown Los Angeles, is known for its iconic pier and vibrant tourism. Its beaches and Pacific Ocean proximity draw a diverse population, including many young professionals and families. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 88,948, Santa Monica has a total crime rate of 5,572.9 per 100,000 residents.