Is New York City or Sterling Heights Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Sterling Heights is safer than New York City (Safety Score 64/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,273 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 58% lower. New York City has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sterling Heights has a 92% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 62.4x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than New York City, NY?
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sterling Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Sterling Heights, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Sterling Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 1,273.1 | +1,766.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 230.7 | +440.7 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 0.8 | +3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 30.8 | -7.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 15.0 | +172.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 182.6 | +273.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 1,042.4 | +1,325.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 76.7 | +78.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 789.1 | +1,225.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 176.6 | +21.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Sterling Heights safer?
Sterling Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 1,273 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 58% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Sterling Heights has 230.7. Sterling Heights 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 Sterling Heights, MI
Sterling Heights, Michigan, a Detroit suburb, is the second-largest city in Macomb County. Once a farming community known for its rhubarb, it now boasts a diverse population exceeding 130,000 residents. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 133,058, Sterling Heights has a total crime rate of 1,273.1 per 100,000 residents.