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: 33,475 197 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 67 Property Crime / 100k: 130 chance of being a victim: 1 in 507
Long Beach proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in New York. With only 197 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 0.19 crimes per day and a 1 in 507 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: 15,769 435 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 12 Property Crime / 100k: 422 chance of being a victim: 1 in 230
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 435 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 50 counts of burglary, 279 counts of theft, 93 counts of vehicle theft, 6 counts of assault, 6 counts of robbery, 0 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.
Port Washington Population: 16,232 563 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 55 Property Crime / 100k: 507 chance of being a victim: 1 in 178
With a population of 16,232 and a total crime rate of 563 per 100,000 residents, Port Washington is the 3rd safest city in New York. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 80% 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.
Glen Cove Population: 27,172 610 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 111 Property Crime / 100k: 498 chance of being a victim: 1 in 164
With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Glen Cove 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 610, 72% lower than the New York average. This amounts to 0.47 crimes per day and a 1 in 164 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 Glen Cove a highly desirable and safe place to call home.
Glens Falls Population: 14,322 882 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 131 Property Crime / 100k: 751 chance of being a victim: 1 in 113
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 882, which is 85% lower than the state average.
Beacon Population: 13,723 925 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 89 Property Crime / 100k: 836 chance of being a victim: 1 in 108
Beacon 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 925 crimes per 100,000 people, 85% lower than the New York average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 48 reports of burglary, 726 reports of theft, 62 reports of vehicle theft, 68 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 21 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.
Lancaster Population: 10,087 981 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 56 Property Crime / 100k: 925 chance of being a victim: 1 in 102
Lancaster ranks as the seventh safest city in New York and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 102 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 1.06 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 1,163 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 254 Property Crime / 100k: 910 chance of being a victim: 1 in 86
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 74% lower than the New York average, reporting a total of 1,163 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 1,185 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 143 Property Crime / 100k: 1,042 chance of being a victim: 1 in 84
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 1,185 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 70% lower than the state average.
Gloversville Population: 14,771 1,251 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 303 Property Crime / 100k: 949 chance of being a victim: 1 in 80
Completing the list as the 10th safest city in New York, is Gloversville. With a low rate of crime that included 269 burglaries, 646 thefts, 34 vehicle thefts, 235 assaults, 54 robberies, 13 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 85% 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 67 130 197
2 Rye 15,769 12 422 435
3 Port Washington 16,232 55 507 563
4 Glen Cove 27,172 111 498 610
5 Glens Falls 14,322 131 751 882
6 Beacon 13,723 89 836 925
7 Lancaster 10,087 56 925 981
8 Peekskill 24,111 254 910 1,163
9 North Tonawanda 30,338 143 1,042 1,185
10 Gloversville 14,771 303 949 1,251
11 Mechanicville 5,077 429 917 1,346
12 Tonawanda 14,790 261 1,246 1,508
13 Dunkirk 11,812 160 1,354 1,515
14 New Rochelle 79,367 164 1,354 1,519
15 Amsterdam 17,823 93 1,440 1,533
16 West Seneca 45,272 140 1,426 1,566
17 Salamanca 5,466 291 1,283 1,573
18 Hempstead 55,153 520 1,066 1,586
19 Yonkers 200,183 346 1,257 1,603
20 Johnstown 8,236 185 1,478 1,663
21 Elmira 27,236 321 1,449 1,771
22 Kingston 22,954 239 1,534 1,773
23 Cohoes 16,708 253 1,571 1,824
24 White Plains 58,171 147 1,718 1,865
25 Canandaigua 10,241 361 1,537 1,898
26 Saratoga Springs 28,056 238 1,750 1,988
27 Hudson 6,103 259 1,793 2,051
28 Watervliet 9,976 286 1,822 2,107
29 Mount Vernon 67,623 518 1,627 2,145
30 Lackawanna 17,751 367 1,790 2,157
31 Middletown 28,018 454 1,773 2,227
32 Port Jervis 8,541 537 1,727 2,264
33 Rome 32,217 219 2,049 2,268
34 Irondequoit 50,141 153 2,127 2,280
35 Poughkeepsie 30,341 636 1,815 2,451
36 Auburn 26,383 330 2,158 2,488
37 Batavia 14,490 370 2,349 2,719
38 Geneva 12,720 427 2,362 2,789
39 Corning 10,642 279 2,729 3,009
40 New York 8,379,552 668 2,398 3,066
41 Cortland 18,633 349 2,974 3,323
42 Niagara Falls 47,978 679 2,763 3,442
43 Utica 59,984 471 2,973 3,443
44 Troy 49,253 566 2,944 3,511
45 Jamestown 29,290 803 2,726 3,528
46 Olean 13,580 329 3,352 3,681
47 Ithaca 30,715 154 3,603 3,757
48 Newburgh 28,146 1,079 2,746 3,824
49 Schenectady 65,336 708 3,146 3,855
50 Cheektowaga 73,457 263 3,709 3,972

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.