New Paltz, NY Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 53% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is New Paltz Safe?
Mostly yes — New Paltz is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
New Paltz has a crime rate that is 23% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 206.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 206
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
27% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 26
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
110% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
New Paltz Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
176 | +76% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
104 | +4% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
196 | +96% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
155 | +55% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
146 | +46% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
203 | +103% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
191 | +91% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
New Paltz Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
New Paltz Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific New Paltz zip codes.
New Paltz Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in New Paltz, NY?
New Paltz, NY has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 23% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 206 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 26 chance for property crime. New Paltz has lower crime than 53% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is New Paltz, NY safe to live in?
New Paltz is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting New Paltz is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in New Paltz?
The estimated violent crime rate in New Paltz is 484.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 27% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 206 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 8.8 per 100K (76% above average); aggravated assault at 279.2 per 100K (4% above average); robbery at 144.7 per 100K (96% above average).
What is the property crime rate in New Paltz?
The estimated property crime rate in New Paltz is 3,852.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 110% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 26 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 394.6 per 100K (46% above average); larceny/theft at 2,849.6 per 100K (103% above average); vehicle theft at 608.5 per 100K (91% above average).
How does New Paltz crime compare to the national average?
New Paltz's overall crime rate is 23% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (103% above average), while assault is 4% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, New Paltz has lower crime than 53% of them.
Is New Paltz safe to visit?
New Paltz is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 110% 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.
How does New Paltz crime compare to the rest of New York?
New York as a whole has crime that is 1% above the national average. New Paltz's crime rate is 23% below the national average, making it safer the typical New York city.
What type of crime is most common in New Paltz?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in New Paltz, with an estimated rate of 2,849.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 103% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,853 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (485 per 100K) in New Paltz, which is consistent with national trends.