| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | New Brunswick/100k people | New Jersey/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,904 | n/a (estimate) | 3,325 | 1,645 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 9 | n/a | 15.7 | 2.3 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 26 | n/a | 45.4 | 17.3 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 159 | n/a | 277.7 | 49.3 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 206 | n/a | 359.8 | 148.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 400 | n/a (estimate) | 699 | 218 | 359 |
| Burglary | 168 | n/a | 293.4 | 145.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,237 | n/a | 2,160.4 | 1,119.4 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 99 | n/a | 172.9 | 162.6 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,504 | n/a (estimate) | 2,627 | 1,427 | 1,760 |
When we analyze the latest crime report, the New Brunswick crime rate is 30% 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 New Brunswick, there were 480 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 858 per 100,000 individuals, 131.9% higher than the national average. Additionally, New Brunswick recorded 1211 property crimes, amounting to 2164 per 100,000 residents, 10.7% higher than the U.S. average.
New Brunswick ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 858 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 New Brunswick stand at 1 in every 117 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.
New Brunswick exhibits a property crime rate closely aligned with the national average. There were 2164 reported property crimes, which closely matches the national average of 1954 per 100,000 people. Consequently, the area's safety profile mirrors that of an average city, neither notably safer nor more dangerous than the norm. This balance suggests that New Brunswick maintains a consistent approach to property crime prevention in line with the broader national landscape.
What is the prevailing sentiment among New Brunswick residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 59 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 22% of New Brunswick 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, 78% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is New Brunswick a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the New Brunswick crime rate is 30% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 4.63 crimes per day - 1.32 violent crimes and 3.32 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime rates in New Brunswick has increased by 35.4% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not New Brunswick 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 68.4%, while property crime has increased by 25.6%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in New Brunswick.
New Brunswick has a poverty rate of 36.1, 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.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. New Brunswick, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 3.7%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.
Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced New Brunswick crime rates. New Brunswick registers a population density of 10700.2 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | New Brunswick | New Jersey | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 174 | 14,540 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.1 | 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 |
| Matawan, NJ | 8,696 | 0 | 20 | 20 |
| South River, NJ | 15,874 | 49 | 99 | 148 |
| Ten Mile Run, NJ | 1,801 | 31 | 200 | 231 |
| Princeton Junction, NJ | 1,989 | 31 | 200 | 231 |
| Cranbury, NJ | 2,213 | 34 | 224 | 258 |
| New Providence, NJ | 13,382 | 44 | 255 | 299 |
| Six Mile Run, NJ | 3,432 | 42 | 272 | 313 |
| New Brunswick, NJ | 55,992 | 699 | 2,627 | 3,325 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Pocatello, ID | 56,016 | 341 | 1,587 | 1,928 |
| Tinley Park, IL | 56,082 | 109 | 1,245 | 1,354 |
| Commerce City, CO | 55,891 | 791 | 2,872 | 3,663 |
| Diamond Bar, CA | 55,870 | 78 | 1,862 | 1,940 |
| Fountain Valley, CA | 56,118 | 178 | 1,784 | 1,963 |
| New Brunswick, NJ | 55,992 | 699 | 2,627 | 3,325 |
Here are the best places to live in New Jersey
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in New Jersey
See the best places to live in New Brunswick
Most Dangerous Cities In The US