Syracuse, NY Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 91% of major U.S. cities
Safety varies across 26+ neighborhoods — Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Syracuse Safe?
Syracuse has a crime rate that is 68% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 160.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Skytop earn an A+ safety grade, while Near Eastside rates D. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Syracuse.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 160
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
64% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 27
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
100% higher than national average
Syracuse 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
|
165 | +65% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
172 | +72% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
153 | +53% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
131 | +31% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
159 | +59% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
189 | +89% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
184 | +84% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Syracuse Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Where Is It Safe in Syracuse?
Safety varies dramatically across Syracuse's 26+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 10Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 10Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 26 neighborhoods in Syracuse
All Syracuse Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skytop | A+ | 7 |
| 2 | Sedgwick | A | 76 |
| 3 | Strathmore | A- | 74 |
| 4 | Far Westside | A- | 144 |
| 5 | Meadowbrook | A- | 80 |
| 6 | University Hill | A- | 77 |
| 7 | University | B+ | 88 |
| 8 | South Valley | B+ | 109 |
| 9 | Northside | B+ | 110 |
| 10 | Eastwood | B+ | 141 |
| 11 | Elmwood | B+ | 108 |
| 12 | Lakefront | B | 194 |
| 13 | Westcott | B | 124 |
| 14 | North Valley | B- | 132 |
| 15 | Lincoln Park | B- | 173 |
| 16 | Westside | B- | 177 |
| 17 | Skunk City | C+ | 152 |
| 18 | Brighton | C+ | 149 |
| 19 | Washington Square | C+ | 162 |
| 20 | Outer Comstock | C+ | 151 |
| 21 | Salt Springs | C+ | 132 |
| 22 | Near Northeast | C | 176 |
| 23 | Downtown | C- | 181 |
| 24 | Near Westside | D+ | 185 |
| 25 | Southwest | D | 177 |
| 26 | Near Eastside | D | 187 |
Syracuse Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Syracuse zip codes.
Syracuse Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Syracuse, NY?
Syracuse, NY has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 68% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 160 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 27 chance for property crime. Syracuse has higher crime than 91% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Syracuse, NY safe to live in?
Syracuse has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. Approximately 62% of the city's 26 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Skytop is one of the safest areas, while Near Eastside has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Syracuse is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Syracuse?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Syracuse are Skytop, Sedgwick, Strathmore, Far Westside, and Meadowbrook. 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 Syracuse?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Syracuse include Near Eastside, Southwest, Near Westside, Downtown, and Near Northeast. 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 Syracuse?
The estimated violent crime rate in Syracuse is 625.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 64% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 160 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 8.3 per 100K (65% above average); aggravated assault at 460.6 per 100K (72% above average); robbery at 112.9 per 100K (53% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Syracuse?
The estimated property crime rate in Syracuse is 3,672.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 100% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 27 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 429.2 per 100K (59% above average); larceny/theft at 2,655.1 per 100K (89% above average); vehicle theft at 587.7 per 100K (84% above average).
How does Syracuse crime compare to the national average?
Syracuse's overall crime rate is 68% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (89% above average), while rape is 31% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Syracuse has higher crime than 91% of them.
Is Syracuse safe to visit?
Visitors to Syracuse should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 100% 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 Skytop, Sedgwick, Strathmore.
How does Syracuse crime compare to the rest of New York?
New York as a whole has crime that is 1% above the national average. Syracuse's crime rate is 68% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical New York city.
What type of crime is most common in Syracuse?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Syracuse, with an estimated rate of 2,655.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 89% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,672 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (626 per 100K) in Syracuse, which is consistent with national trends.