F
70%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
99%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
64%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleBuffalo/100k peopleNew York/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime10,882n/a (estimate)3,9472,1512,324
Murder67n/a24.34.06.3
Rape110n/a39.929.540.0
Robbery533n/a193.3112.066.1
Assault1,320n/a478.8283.8268.2
Violent crime2,030n/a (estimate)736429370
Burglary1,324n/a480.2162.5269.8
Theft6,005n/a2,178.01,422.01,401.9
Vehicle theft1,523n/a552.4137.1282.7
Property crime8,852n/a (estimate)3,2111,7221,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Buffalo, NY

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Buffalo crime rate is 69.8% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Buffalo, there were 2030 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 736 per 100,000 individuals, 99.1% higher than the national average. Additionally, Buffalo recorded 8852 property crimes, amounting to 3211 per 100,000 residents, 64.3% higher than the U.S. average.

Buffalo ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 736 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Buffalo stand at 1 in every 136 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.

While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Buffalo ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Buffalo, there were a total of 67 murders, translating to 24 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.

The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Buffalo faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 1523 vehicle thefts, translating to 552 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Buffalo in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 182.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Buffalo?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Buffalo residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 185 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 24% of Buffalo residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 76% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Buffalo a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Buffalo, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Buffalo presents a total crime rate that is 70% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Buffalo experiences an average of 29.81 daily crimes, comprising 5.56 violent incidents and 24.25 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Buffalo Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Buffalo. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Buffalo has increased by 7.2%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 15.2%, while property crime has increased by 14.2%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Buffalo.

Buffalo Neighborhood Crime Rates

Typically, densely populated areas in close proximity to the city center tend to experience higher crime rates compared to neighborhoods that are situated on the city's periphery. Buffalo, an expansive urban metropolis, has more than 50 distinct neighborhoods, each bearing its unique crime rate characteristics. The prevalence of criminal activity varies significantly among these neighborhoods. Noteworthy among safest neighborhoods in Buffalo are areas such as South Abbott, Albright and North Park, which provide residents with enhanced security and peace of mind. Conversely, neighborhoods like Emerson, Grider and Mlk Park are marked by a higher incidence of reported crimes, warranting prudent consideration for those seeking to avoid areas with potentially elevated safety concerns.

Potential Causes for Crime in Buffalo

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Buffalo currently has an unemployment rate of 4.5%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Buffalo crime rates. The population density in Buffalo is 6335.3 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Buffalo, the cost of living is 17.6% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Buffalo crime map



The Buffalo crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Buffalo as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Buffalo crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Buffalo crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Crime Quick Facts

  • Buffalo crime rates are 70% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Buffalo are 99% higher than the national average
  • In Buffalo you have a 1 in 26 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Buffalo is safer than 8% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Buffalo has decreased by 1%

Buffalo, NY Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Buffalo (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Buffalo, NY per 100,000 people. In Buffalo, the total number of daily crimes is 1.83 times more than the New York average and 1.70 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Buffalo is 1.72 times more than the New York average and 1.99 times more than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Buffalo has a daily crime rate that is 1.86 times more than the New York average and 1.64 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Buffalo (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Buffalo to every other city in New York, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Buffalo safe? The gauges above illustrate that Buffalo is safer than 11% of every city located within New York along with 8% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in New York and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Buffalo, NY is ranked above average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Buffalo

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Buffalo is 1 in 136
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Buffalo is 1 in 32
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Buffalo is 1 in 26
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Buffalo? In Buffalo, NY you have a 1 in 136 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 32 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 26 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Buffalo.

        Year Over Year Crime In Buffalo (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Buffalo, NY is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Buffalo has decreased by 22%, while the property crime rate in Buffalo has increased by 5% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Buffalo has decreased by 1% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Buffalo police department

        Item Buffalo New York National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)923109,351558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.52.93.3
        There are a total of 923 Buffalo police officers. This results in 3.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 22.7% greater than the New York average and 8.2% greater than the National average.

        Sex offenders in New York

        State Total offenders New York /100K National /100K
        New York25,064137266
        There are a total of 25,064 sex offenders in New York. This yields a total of 137 sex offenders in New York per 100,000 residents which is 48% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Billington Heights, NY1,503161645806
        Clarence Center, NY3,211172690862
        Elma Center, NY3,806172690862
        Clarence, NY2,238182732915
        Rapids, NY687192773965
        Wanakah, NY3,2962068291,035
        Town Line, NY1,7522098371,046
        Buffalo, NY255,8057363,2113,947

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Scottsdale, AZ254,9952331,1111,345
        Lubbock, TX257,0131,0634,1355,198
        Chandler, AZ257,0761821,8081,990
        Madison, WI258,3663012,3962,697
        Laredo, TX260,5713171,2851,602
        Buffalo, NY255,8057363,2113,947
        Source: The Buffalo, NY crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.