Clifton, NJ Crime Rate & Safety

Clifton, NJ has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 30% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 334 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 64 chance for property crime. Clifton has lower crime than 62% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Clifton is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 100% of the city's 16 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Rosemawr is one of the safest areas, while Botany Section has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Clifton is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Clifton are Rosemawr, Montclair Heights, Albion, Delawanna, and Hazel. 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 Clifton include Botany Section, Dutch Hill, Richfield, Middle Village, and Athenia. 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 Clifton is 299.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 21% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 334 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.6 per 100K (28% below average); aggravated assault at 223.6 per 100K (17% below average); robbery at 55.3 per 100K (25% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Clifton is 1,568.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 14% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 64 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 135.5 per 100K (50% below average); larceny/theft at 1,155.5 per 100K (18% below average); vehicle theft at 277.9 per 100K (13% below average).

Clifton's overall crime rate is 30% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (13% below average), while rape is 51% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Clifton has lower crime than 62% of them.

Clifton is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 14% below 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 Rosemawr, Montclair Heights, Albion.

New Jersey as a whole has crime that is 25% below the national average. Clifton's crime rate is 30% below the national average, making it safer the typical New Jersey city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Clifton, with an estimated rate of 1,155.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 18% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,569 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (299 per 100K) in Clifton, which is consistent with national trends.