Rochester, NY Crime Rate & Safety

Rochester, NY has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 86% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 166 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 26 chance for property crime. Rochester has higher crime than 94% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Rochester has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. Approximately 84% of the city's 79 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Oakgrove is one of the safest areas, while Upper Falls has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Rochester is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Rochester are Oakgrove, Dake's Corners, Lakeside, Maywood, and Briarwood Triangle. 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 Rochester include Upper Falls, Mayor's Heights / C.O.T.S., Plymouth Exchange, Brown Square, and Susan B. Anthony. 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 Rochester is 604.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 59% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 166 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 8.8 per 100K (77% above average); aggravated assault at 429.6 per 100K (60% above average); robbery at 123.1 per 100K (67% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Rochester is 3,782.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 106% 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 445.9 per 100K (65% above average); larceny/theft at 2,744.5 per 100K (96% above average); vehicle theft at 591.7 per 100K (86% above average).

Rochester's overall crime rate is 86% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (96% above average), while rape is 27% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Rochester has higher crime than 94% of them.

Visitors to Rochester should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 106% 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 Oakgrove, Dake's Corners, Lakeside.

New York as a whole has crime that is 1% above the national average. Rochester's crime rate is 86% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical New York city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Rochester, with an estimated rate of 2,744.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 96% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,782 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (604 per 100K) in Rochester, which is consistent with national trends.