Safest cities in New York

Known as the 'Empire State,' New York is a blend of bustling urban centers, scenic rural landscapes, and cultural richness. Located in the northeastern United States, New York boasts diverse geography that includes the iconic New York City, the majestic Adirondack Mountains, and the picturesque Finger Lakes. The state's economy is one of the largest in the country, driven by industries such as finance, technology, healthcare, and tourism. New York City is a major cultural and economic hub, known for its impressive skyline, world-class museums, and vibrant arts scene. The state is also rich in history, with landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Hudson River Valley. New York offers a variety of recreational activities, from exploring Central Park to hiking in the Catskills and enjoying the many cultural festivals and events.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in New York particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of New York's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate New York's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

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Long Beach Population: 33,475 182 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 78 Property Crime / 100k: 104 chance of being a victim: 1 in 548
Long Beach proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in New York. With only 182 crimes per 100,000 people, Long Beach has a crime rate that is 65% lower than the New York average. This equates to an average of 0.17 crimes per day and a 1 in 548 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.
Rye Population: 15,769 267 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 12 Property Crime / 100k: 255 chance of being a victim: 1 in 374
Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Rye comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in New York with a crime rate of 267 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 25 counts of burglary, 168 counts of theft, 62 counts of vehicle theft, 6 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 6 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Rye, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.
Glen Cove Population: 27,172 580 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 112 Property Crime / 100k: 468 chance of being a victim: 1 in 172
With a population of 27,172 and a total crime rate of 580 per 100,000 residents, Glen Cove is the 3rd safest city in New York. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 72% lower than the New York average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.
Beacon Population: 13,723 766 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 111 Property Crime / 100k: 655 chance of being a victim: 1 in 130
With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Beacon is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 766, 85% lower than the New York average. This amounts to 0.32 crimes per day and a 1 in 130 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Beacon a highly desirable and safe place to call home.
Glens Falls Population: 14,322 819 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 160 Property Crime / 100k: 659 chance of being a victim: 1 in 122
Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Glens Falls consistently ranks high in safety. In Glens Falls, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 819, which is 86% lower than the state average.
Port Washington Population: 16,232 935 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 126 Property Crime / 100k: 810 chance of being a victim: 1 in 107
Port Washington has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in New York. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 935 crimes per 100,000 people, 80% lower than the New York average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 45 reports of burglary, 749 reports of theft, 15 reports of vehicle theft, 85 reports of assault, 15 reports of robbery, 25 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.
Lancaster Population: 10,087 1,000 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 43 Property Crime / 100k: 957 chance of being a victim: 1 in 100
Lancaster ranks as the seventh safest city in New York and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 100 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 1.08 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Lancaster’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in New York.
Peekskill Population: 24,111 1,181 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 208 Property Crime / 100k: 973 chance of being a victim: 1 in 85
Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Peekskill is the 8th safest city in New York. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 75% lower than the New York average, reporting a total of 1,181 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.
New Rochelle Population: 79,367 1,239 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 134 Property Crime / 100k: 1,105 chance of being a victim: 1 in 81
Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. New Rochelle is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in New York, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 1,239 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 15% lower than the state average.
North Tonawanda Population: 30,338 1,241 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 154 Property Crime / 100k: 1,087 chance of being a victim: 1 in 81
Completing the list as the 10th safest city in New York, is North Tonawanda. With a low rate of crime that included 124 burglaries, 846 thefts, 117 vehicle thefts, 117 assaults, 17 robberies, 20 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 70% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in New York

Rank Location Population Violent Crimes /100k Property Crimes /100k Total Crimes /100k 
1 Long Beach 33,475 78 104 182
2 Rye 15,769 12 255 267
3 Glen Cove 27,172 112 468 580
4 Beacon 13,723 111 655 766
5 Glens Falls 14,322 160 659 819
6 Port Washington 16,232 126 810 935
7 Lancaster 10,087 43 957 1,000
8 Peekskill 24,111 208 973 1,181
9 New Rochelle 79,367 134 1,105 1,239
10 North Tonawanda 30,338 154 1,087 1,241
11 Cohoes 16,708 186 1,102 1,288
12 Tonawanda 14,790 169 1,133 1,302
13 Yonkers 200,183 312 1,015 1,327
14 Middletown 28,018 309 1,206 1,514
15 Hempstead 55,153 459 1,098 1,557
16 Auburn 26,383 245 1,342 1,588
17 Gloversville 14,771 251 1,348 1,598
18 Tonawanda 14,790 82 1,613 1,695
19 Canandaigua 10,241 249 1,491 1,740
20 Salamanca 5,466 384 1,395 1,779
21 West Seneca 45,272 124 1,710 1,834
22 Irondequoit 50,141 132 1,737 1,869
23 White Plains 58,171 111 1,760 1,872
24 Hudson 6,103 330 1,565 1,896
25 Saratoga Springs 28,056 186 1,717 1,902
26 Port Jervis 8,541 411 1,540 1,951
27 Lackawanna 17,751 395 1,560 1,955
28 Kingston 22,954 350 1,645 1,995
29 Mount Vernon 67,623 544 1,459 2,003
30 Batavia 14,490 377 1,805 2,182
31 Dunkirk 11,812 275 1,919 2,195
32 Poughkeepsie 30,341 644 1,636 2,280
33 Rome 32,217 238 2,055 2,293
34 Watervliet 9,976 356 2,127 2,483
35 Corning 10,642 160 2,382 2,542
36 Newburgh 28,146 984 1,917 2,901
37 Jamestown 29,290 620 2,315 2,935
38 New York 8,379,552 671 2,368 3,039
39 Geneva 12,720 301 2,807 3,108
40 Cortland 18,633 227 2,954 3,181
41 Troy 49,253 470 2,773 3,244
42 Niagara Falls 47,978 501 2,808 3,309
43 Ithaca 30,715 196 3,216 3,412
44 Cheektowaga 73,457 205 3,219 3,425
45 Utica 59,984 528 2,949 3,477
46 Albany 96,860 817 2,848 3,665
47 Schenectady 65,336 646 3,129 3,775
48 Rochester 206,357 582 3,289 3,872
49 Oneida 10,918 399 3,473 3,872
50 Binghamton 44,819 533 3,413 3,946

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in New York is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included New York cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.