| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Clifton/100k people | New Jersey/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,185 | n/a (estimate) | 2,431 | 1,645 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 1.1 | 2.3 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 9 | n/a | 10.0 | 17.3 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 40 | n/a | 44.5 | 49.3 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 99 | n/a | 110.2 | 148.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 149 | n/a (estimate) | 166 | 218 | 359 |
| Burglary | 275 | n/a | 306.0 | 145.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,553 | n/a | 1,728.1 | 1,119.4 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 208 | n/a | 231.4 | 162.6 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 2,036 | n/a (estimate) | 2,265 | 1,427 | 1,760 |

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Clifton crime rate is 14.7% 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 Clifton, there were 149 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 166 per 100,000 individuals, 53.8% lower than the national average. Additionally, Clifton recorded 2036 property crimes, amounting to 2265 per 100,000 residents, 28.7% higher than the U.S. average.
When assessing the overall crime rate in Clifton per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes, underscores the close alignment of reported Clifton crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.
AreaVibes surveyed 30 local residents in Clifton to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 70% of people answered that there was very little crime in Clifton and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 30% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.
Is Clifton a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Clifton has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 15%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 5.99 daily incidents, encompassing 0.41 violent crimes and 5.58 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Clifton as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime rates in Clifton has increased by 54.3% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Clifton is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 81.7%, while property crime has increased by 52.6%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Clifton.
Clifton has a poverty rate of 8.6, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.
Clifton has a population density of 7748.2 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Clifton crime rates.
High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Clifton, the cost of living is 27.71% higher than the national average.
| Item | Clifton | New Jersey | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 173 | 14,540 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.0 | 5.7 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | New Jersey /100K | National /100K |
| New Jersey | 4,539 | 54 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Emerson, NJ | 7,909 | 0 | 95 | 95 |
| Allendale, NJ | 6,943 | 0 | 116 | 116 |
| Harrington Park, NJ | 4,882 | 0 | 212 | 212 |
| Oradell, NJ | 8,389 | 48 | 168 | 215 |
| Wanaque, NJ | 12,174 | 36 | 187 | 223 |
| Old Tappan, NJ | 6,114 | 48 | 191 | 239 |
| Hillsdale, NJ | 10,605 | 0 | 263 | 263 |
| Clifton, NJ | 87,331 | 166 | 2,265 | 2,431 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Hemet, CA | 87,279 | 425 | 1,634 | 2,059 |
| Bloomington, MN | 87,234 | 312 | 3,464 | 3,776 |
| Troy, MI | 87,197 | 116 | 1,277 | 1,392 |
| Redwood City, CA | 87,093 | 472 | 1,620 | 2,092 |
| Johns Creek, GA | 87,090 | 36 | 537 | 572 |
| Clifton, NJ | 87,331 | 166 | 2,265 | 2,431 |