Perth Amboy, NJ Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 93% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Perth Amboy Safe?
No — crime is noticeably above average
Choosing the right neighborhood is critical for personal safety.
Perth Amboy has a crime rate that is 80% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 186.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Hopelawn earn an A- safety grade, while Hopelawn rates A-. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Perth Amboy.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 186
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
41% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 31
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
77% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Perth Amboy 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
|
170 | +70% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
141 | +41% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
147 | +47% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
130 | +30% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
131 | +31% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
166 | +66% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
180 | +80% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Perth Amboy Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Perth Amboy?
Safety varies dramatically across Perth Amboy's 1+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 1Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 1Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 1 neighborhoods in Perth Amboy
All Perth Amboy Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hopelawn | A- | 119 |
Perth Amboy Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Perth Amboy zip codes.
Perth Amboy Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Perth Amboy, NJ?
Perth Amboy, NJ has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 80% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 186 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 31 chance for property crime. Perth Amboy has higher crime than 93% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Perth Amboy, NJ safe to live in?
Perth Amboy has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. Approximately 100% of the city's 1 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Hopelawn is one of the safest areas, while Hopelawn has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Perth Amboy is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Perth Amboy?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Perth Amboy are Hopelawn. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Perth Amboy?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Perth Amboy include Hopelawn. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Perth Amboy?
The estimated violent crime rate in Perth Amboy is 538.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 41% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 186 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 8.5 per 100K (70% above average); aggravated assault at 377.3 per 100K (41% above average); robbery at 108.8 per 100K (47% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Perth Amboy?
The estimated property crime rate in Perth Amboy is 3,251.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 77% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 31 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 354.7 per 100K (31% above average); larceny/theft at 2,322.3 per 100K (66% above average); vehicle theft at 574.2 per 100K (80% above average).
How does Perth Amboy crime compare to the national average?
Perth Amboy's overall crime rate is 80% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (80% above average), while rape is 30% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Perth Amboy has higher crime than 93% of them.
Is Perth Amboy safe to visit?
Visitors to Perth Amboy should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 77% 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 Hopelawn.
How does Perth Amboy crime compare to the rest of New Jersey?
New Jersey as a whole has crime that is 25% below the national average. Perth Amboy's crime rate is 80% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical New Jersey city.
What type of crime is most common in Perth Amboy?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Perth Amboy, with an estimated rate of 2,322.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 66% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,251 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (538 per 100K) in Perth Amboy, which is consistent with national trends.