| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Syracuse/100k people | New York/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 5,724 | n/a (estimate) | 3,943 | 2,151 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 17 | n/a | 11.7 | 4.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 80 | n/a | 55.1 | 29.5 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 287 | n/a | 197.7 | 112.0 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 910 | n/a | 626.8 | 283.8 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 1,294 | n/a (estimate) | 891 | 429 | 370 |
| Burglary | 1,171 | n/a | 806.6 | 162.5 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 2,636 | n/a | 1,815.7 | 1,422.0 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 623 | n/a | 429.1 | 137.1 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 4,430 | n/a (estimate) | 3,051 | 1,722 | 1,954 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Syracuse is 69.6% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Syracuse, there were 1294 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 891 per 100,000 individuals, 141% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 4430 property crimes, amounting to 3051 per 100,000 residents, 56.1% higher than the U.S. average.
Syracuse ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 891 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 Syracuse stand at 1 in every 113 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.
Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Syracuse has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 17 murders in Syracuse, which is 12 murders per 100,000 people.
The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Syracuse is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Syracuse reported a total of 623 vehicle thefts, resulting in 429 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 234, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.
What do the local residents think about crime in Syracuse? Well, based on a recent survey of 152 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 16% of Syracuse residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 84% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Syracuse 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, Syracuse has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 70%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 15.68 daily incidents, encompassing 3.55 violent crimes and 12.14 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Syracuse as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Syracuse. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Syracuse has increased by 10.1%. Violent crimes have increased by 8.6%, while property crimes have increased by 10.5%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
The Syracuse region comprises an array of over 26 distinct neighborhoods, each characterized by its unique crime rate influenced by factors including location and socioeconomic conditions. Typically, neighborhoods situated near the city center or downtown core exhibit higher crime rates owing to their higher population density. Conversely, neighborhoods on the city's outskirts tend to boast lower population density, along with reduced unemployment and poverty rates, contributing to a safer environment. Among the secure neighborhoods in Syracuse are exemplars such as Meadowbrook, Sedgewick and Wescott, whereas Southwest, Near Westside and Near Northeast grapple with an above-average reported crime rate. This underscores the necessity for thorough evaluation across multiple neighborhoods, given their notable variations in crime rates.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Syracuse crime rates. In Syracuse, the poverty rate stands at 30.3%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Syracuse crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Syracuse has an unemployment rate of 5.4%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.
The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Syracuse, 75.2% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
| Item | Syracuse | New York | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 534 | 109,351 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.7 | 2.9 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | New York /100K | National /100K |
| New York | 25,064 | 137 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Skaneateles, NY | 2,396 | 83 | 334 | 417 |
| Marcellus, NY | 2,190 | 163 | 654 | 817 |
| Cazenovia, NY | 2,857 | 204 | 819 | 1,023 |
| Liverpool, NY | 2,182 | 212 | 849 | 1,061 |
| Camillus, NY | 1,015 | 213 | 855 | 1,068 |
| Lakeland, NY | 2,524 | 226 | 906 | 1,132 |
| Bridgeport, NY | 1,341 | 228 | 916 | 1,144 |
| Syracuse, NY | 142,553 | 891 | 3,051 | 3,943 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| McAllen, TX | 142,557 | 196 | 1,952 | 2,148 |
| Mesquite, TX | 142,429 | 467 | 3,649 | 4,115 |
| Pasadena, CA | 142,017 | 383 | 2,287 | 2,670 |
| Murfreesboro, TN | 141,704 | 511 | 2,111 | 2,622 |
| Midland, TX | 141,194 | 492 | 1,910 | 2,402 |
| Syracuse, NY | 142,553 | 891 | 3,051 | 3,943 |
Here are the best places to live in New York
10 best cities to buy a new house in New York
See the best places to live in & around Syracuse
Top 10 cities in New York with the best education system