Piscataway, NJ Crime Rate & Safety

Piscataway, NJ has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 12% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 248 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 39 chance for property crime. Piscataway has lower crime than 42% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Piscataway has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. Approximately 100% of the city's 2 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Rutgers University / New Brunswick / Busch is one of the safest areas, while Rutgers University / New Brunswick / Livingston has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Piscataway is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Piscataway are Rutgers University / New Brunswick / Busch, and Rutgers University / New Brunswick / Livingston. 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 Piscataway include Rutgers University / New Brunswick / Livingston, and Rutgers University / New Brunswick / Busch. 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 Piscataway is 403.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 6% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 248 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.8 per 100K (15% above average); aggravated assault at 214.5 per 100K (20% below average); robbery at 121.1 per 100K (64% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Piscataway is 2,585.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 41% 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 221.0 per 100K (18% below average); larceny/theft at 1,941.2 per 100K (38% above average); vehicle theft at 422.8 per 100K (33% above average).

Piscataway's overall crime rate is 12% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (85% above average), while assault is 20% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Piscataway has lower crime than 42% of them.

Visitors to Piscataway should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 41% 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 Rutgers University / New Brunswick / Busch, Rutgers University / New Brunswick / Livingston.

New Jersey as a whole has crime that is 25% below the national average. Piscataway's crime rate is 12% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical New Jersey city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Piscataway, with an estimated rate of 1,941.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 38% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,585 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (404 per 100K) in Piscataway, which is consistent with national trends.