New York, NY Crime Rate & Safety

New York, NY has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 36% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 194 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 39 chance for property crime. New York has higher crime than 84% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

New York has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Approximately 81% of the city's 42 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Randalls and Wards Island is one of the safest areas, while Little Italy has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting New York is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in New York are Randalls and Wards Island, Governors Island, Hudson Square / West SoHo, Upper East Side, and NoHo. 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 New York include Little Italy, Manhattanville, Central Harlem, Chinatown, and Two Bridges. 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 New York is 515.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 194 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 7.0 per 100K (40% above average); aggravated assault at 382.6 per 100K (43% above average); robbery at 89.0 per 100K (20% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in New York is 2,572.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 40% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 39 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 268.3 per 100K (1% below average); larceny/theft at 1,816.2 per 100K (30% above average); vehicle theft at 488.1 per 100K (53% above average).

New York's overall crime rate is 36% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (53% above average), while burglary is 1% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, New York has higher crime than 84% of them.

Visitors to New York should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 40% 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 Randalls and Wards Island, Governors Island, Hudson Square / West SoHo.

New York as a whole has crime that is 1% above the national average. New York's crime rate is 36% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical New York city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in New York, with an estimated rate of 1,816.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 30% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,573 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (515 per 100K) in New York, which is consistent with national trends.