Is New York City or Tempe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than Tempe (Safety Score 19/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 3,364 for Tempe — 10% lower. New York City has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Tempe has a 65% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 43.4x 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
Tempe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Tempe, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Tempe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 3,364.1 | -324.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 470.3 | +201.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 2.6 | +1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 71.6 | -48.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 66.4 | +121.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 329.7 | +126.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 2,893.8 | -525.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 334.4 | -179.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 2,257.9 | -242.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 301.5 | -103.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Tempe safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 3,364 for Tempe — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Tempe has 470.3. Tempe 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 Tempe, AZ
Tempe, Arizona, home to Arizona State University's largest campus, sits in the Valley of the Sun. This vibrant city, named for the Vale of Tempe in Greece, boasts a young, educated population drawn to its urban core and outdoor recreation along Tempe Town Lake. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 191,376, Tempe has a total crime rate of 3,364.1 per 100,000 residents.