Buffalo, NY Crime Rate & Safety

Buffalo, NY has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 106% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 141 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 25 chance for property crime. Buffalo has higher crime than 96% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Buffalo has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. Approximately 63% of the city's 65 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Buffalo State University is one of the safest areas, while Kingsley has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Buffalo is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Buffalo are Buffalo State University, Deerhurst Park, South Abbott, Belmont, and Kenmore Northeast. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Buffalo include Kingsley, Willert Park, Martin Luther King Park, Medical Park, and Perry. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Buffalo is 707.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 86% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 141 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 9.8 per 100K (96% above average); aggravated assault at 518.8 per 100K (93% above average); robbery at 128.0 per 100K (73% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Buffalo is 4,078.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 123% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 25 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 507.3 per 100K (88% above average); larceny/theft at 2,920.4 per 100K (108% above average); vehicle theft at 651.2 per 100K (104% above average).

Buffalo's overall crime rate is 106% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (108% above average), while rape is 50% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Buffalo has higher crime than 96% of them.

Visitors to Buffalo should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 123% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Buffalo State University, Deerhurst Park, South Abbott.

New York as a whole has crime that is 1% above the national average. Buffalo's crime rate is 106% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical New York city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Buffalo, with an estimated rate of 2,920.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 108% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (4,079 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (707 per 100K) in Buffalo, which is consistent with national trends.