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.

Rye Population: 15,769 154 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 154 chance of being a victim: 1 in 650

Rye proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in New York. With only 154 crimes per 100,000 people, Rye has a crime rate that is 84% lower than the New York average. This equates to an average of 0.07 crimes per day and a 1 in 650 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.

Long Beach Population: 33,475 234 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 89 Property Crime / 100k: 144 chance of being a victim: 1 in 428

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Long Beach comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in New York with a crime rate of 234 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 32 counts of burglary, 92 counts of theft, 20 counts of vehicle theft, 63 counts of assault, 23 counts of robbery, 3 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Long Beach, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Glen Cove Population: 27,172 714 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 50 Property Crime / 100k: 664 chance of being a victim: 1 in 140

With a population of 27,172 and a total crime rate of 714 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.

Port Washington Population: 16,232 717 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 30 Property Crime / 100k: 688 chance of being a victim: 1 in 139

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Port Washington 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 717, 80% lower than the New York average. This amounts to 0.39 crimes per day and a 1 in 139 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 Port Washington a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

New Rochelle Population: 79,367 769 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 76 Property Crime / 100k: 692 chance of being a victim: 1 in 130

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, New Rochelle consistently ranks high in safety. In New Rochelle, 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 769, which is 17% lower than the state average.

Glens Falls Population: 14,322 977 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 150 Property Crime / 100k: 827 chance of being a victim: 1 in 102

Glens Falls 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 977 crimes per 100,000 people, 85% lower than the New York average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 41 reports of burglary, 731 reports of theft, 55 reports of vehicle theft, 89 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 61 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Beacon Population: 13,723 1,071 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 102 Property Crime / 100k: 969 chance of being a victim: 1 in 93

Beacon ranks as the seventh safest city in New York and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 93 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.40 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. Beacon’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in New York.

Lancaster Population: 10,087 1,122 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 41 Property Crime / 100k: 1,081 chance of being a victim: 1 in 89

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Lancaster 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 61% lower than the New York average, reporting a total of 1,122 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.

North Tonawanda Population: 30,338 1,222 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 158 Property Crime / 100k: 1,064 chance of being a victim: 1 in 82

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. North Tonawanda 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 1,222 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 70% lower than the state average.

Yonkers Population: 200,183 1,226 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 310 Property Crime / 100k: 916 chance of being a victim: 1 in 82

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in New York, is Yonkers. With a low rate of crime that included 114 burglaries, 679 thefts, 123 vehicle thefts, 201 assaults, 99 robberies, 9 rapes and 1 homicides, the overall crime rate was 108% higher 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	Rye	15,769	0	154	154
2	Long Beach	33,475	89	144	234
3	Glen Cove	27,172	50	664	714
4	Port Washington	16,232	30	688	717
5	New Rochelle	79,367	76	692	769
6	Glens Falls	14,322	150	827	977
7	Beacon	13,723	102	969	1,071
8	Lancaster	10,087	41	1,081	1,122
9	North Tonawanda	30,338	158	1,064	1,222
10	Yonkers	200,183	310	916	1,226
11	Peekskill	24,111	260	1,054	1,314
12	White Plains	58,171	114	1,273	1,387
13	Tonawanda	14,790	167	1,328	1,495
14	Amsterdam	17,823	132	1,401	1,533
15	Mechanicville	5,077	427	1,144	1,570
16	Hempstead	55,153	518	1,076	1,594
17	Cohoes	16,708	268	1,476	1,744
18	Irondequoit	50,141	128	1,617	1,745
19	Rome	32,217	242	1,511	1,753
20	Tonawanda	14,790	199	1,584	1,783
21	Middletown	28,018	357	1,434	1,791
22	Dunkirk	11,812	168	1,660	1,828
23	West Seneca	45,272	140	1,762	1,902
24	Mount Vernon	67,623	462	1,561	2,023
25	Lackawanna	17,751	401	1,747	2,148
26	Saratoga Springs	28,056	334	1,825	2,159
27	Port Jervis	8,541	515	1,694	2,209
28	Kingston	22,954	256	2,053	2,310
29	Auburn	26,383	245	2,133	2,378
30	Salamanca	5,466	600	1,799	2,398
31	Poughkeepsie	30,341	615	1,845	2,459
32	Canandaigua	10,241	439	2,061	2,500
33	Geneva	12,720	453	2,095	2,548
34	New York	8,379,552	744	2,141	2,885
35	Batavia	14,490	415	2,513	2,928
36	Corning	10,642	486	2,532	3,018
37	Cheektowaga	73,457	276	3,279	3,555
38	Olean	13,580	417	3,153	3,570
39	Newburgh	28,146	1,103	2,478	3,581
40	Niagara Falls	47,978	806	2,855	3,661
41	Jamestown	29,290	791	2,914	3,705
42	Ogdensburg	10,559	302	3,544	3,846
43	Syracuse	142,553	891	3,051	3,943
44	Buffalo	255,805	736	3,211	3,947
45	Cortland	18,633	264	3,710	3,974
46	Utica	59,984	568	3,408	3,976
47	Troy	49,253	673	3,351	4,023
48	Ithaca	30,715	304	3,772	4,076
49	Schenectady	65,336	757	3,422	4,179
50	Rochester	206,357	731	3,581	4,312

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.