Is New York City or Somerville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Somerville is safer than New York City (Safety Score 43/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,920 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 37% lower. New York City has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Somerville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 101.5x 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
Somerville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Somerville, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Somerville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 1,920.1 | +1,119.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 221.4 | +450.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 0.0 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 15.9 | +7.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 24.5 | +163.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 181.0 | +275.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 1,698.8 | +669.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 289.9 | -135.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 1,279.3 | +735.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 129.6 | +68.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Somerville safer?
Somerville is safer with a total crime rate of 1,920 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Somerville has 221.4. Somerville 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 Somerville, MA
Somerville, MA, a densely populated city immediately north of Boston, is known for its vibrant arts scene and diverse neighborhoods. Historically home to many working-class immigrants, it's now a hub for young professionals and students. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 81,766, Somerville has a total crime rate of 1,920.1 per 100,000 residents.