Is New York City or Watertown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, New York City is safer than Watertown (Safety Score 19/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 4,528 for Watertown — 33% lower. New York City has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Watertown has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 345.4x 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
Watertown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Watertown, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Watertown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 4,527.9 | -1,488.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 599.3 | +72.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 0.0 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 166.5 | -143.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 37.5 | +150.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 395.4 | +60.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 3,928.6 | -1,560.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 387.0 | -232.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 3,420.9 | -1,405.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 120.7 | +77.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Watertown safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 4,528 for Watertown — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Watertown has 599.3. Watertown 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 Watertown, NY
Watertown, NY, a city along the Black River, boasts the first department store in the nation, founded by F.W. Woolworth. Situated just south of Fort Drum, it serves as a regional hub for Jefferson County. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 24,029, Watertown has a total crime rate of 4,527.9 per 100,000 residents.