When evaluating the New York state crime rate by city, context matters. In 2025, New York City recorded a 6.75% decline in its overall crime index, totaling 39,939 incidents, including 99 murders and 9,909 felony assaults. Buffalo reported 30 homicides and 150 shooting victims. Rochester similarly saw a 26% drop in homicides to 37 reports. Albany experienced a 15% overall crime decrease, though rape reports rose by 32%.
However, early 2026 data shows a downward trend in major crimes across New York’s largest cities. NYPD reported the “safest January and February ever” in terms of homicides and gun violence.” The murder rate dropped 33.3% in February 2026 when compared to last year, with only 16 incidents. For the first two months of this year, our city recorded 32 murders, which is an historic low.
NYC logged 83 shooting incidents during January and February of 2026. Also, major crime fell nearly 8 percent already this year, with major decreases in burglaries (down 19.8%), felony assaults (down 6.1%) and robberies (down 6.4%). Buffalo showed an 18% drop in violent crime compared to 2025. Rochester’s gun violence reflects an eight-year decrease. Finally, Albany saw a 12.2% decrease in its reported crime incidents as of February 2026.
This data shows that major crime across New York’s biggest cities didn’t just stay down in early 2026; rather, the decline actually picked up speed, hitting record lows in several areas of The Big Apple. Crime rates tend to fluctuate each year, depending on a number of factors, and New York is no different. Cities in New York have their own crime rates that change each year. Knowing the New York state crime rate by city can help residents and visitors navigate safely.
What Is Crime in New York?
Crime refers to an act or a form of omission that is against the law. These actions are punishable by the authorities. Most crimes in New York and other states fall into one of two categories: violent crimes and property crimes. There are also white-collar crimes and drug-related crimes.
If a person is charged, the charge is classified as either a felony or a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is the least serious charge of the two, resulting in lighter penalties (such as fines and jail time or alternatives to jail, such as probation or community service). Felonies are more serious and usually have minimum sentences, depending on the offense.
Sources, Definitions, and Methodology
To discuss the crime rate in New York, we first need to understand that it is calculated by dividing the number of reported incidents by the population, then multiplying by 100,000 to give the number of crimes per 100,000 population.
However, comparisons based on raw totals can be very misleading, especially given that New York City has a higher population than significantly smaller cities.
To further understand what goes into those calculations, it’s also important to clarify which types of offenses are being counted. Consistent with what the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) reports and the FBI Crime Data Explorer classifications, the numbers used to calculate the crime rate are heavily weighted toward index crimes. These crimes include:
- Violent index crimes, like murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault
- Property index crimes, like burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft
These standardized categories allow for cross-jurisdiction comparisons, though local charging decisions are governed by New York Penal Law and any related criminal defense laws.
Why These Numbers Might Differ Across Multiple Sources
Crime data can vary between city police departments, DCJS publications, and the FBI Crime Data Explorer. This is because the NYPD and other agencies record offences according to the definitions of NYS Penal Law, and those records are then later translated into Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) or National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) categories for federal reporting.
This translation process can create discrepancies, as agencies may report data late or differently, revise submissions, or update their classification standards in response to shifts in reporting systems.
We update our numbers when the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) releases new full-year crime data, which typically occurs annually. In addition, major city police departments publish year-end summaries that are incorporated to help with accuracy.
Crime Trends Across Major Cities in New York
It is no secret that New York City is by far the most populous city in New York State. Other notable cities include Rochester, Albany, and Buffalo. All of these see their fair share of crime throughout the city.
New York City Crime Rates for 2025
New York City already has experienced notable declines in crime in 2025 when compared to 2026. For the year to date data available, there was a 5.86% decrease in the overall crime index, resulting in 1,416 fewer incidents compared to the same period in 2026.
NYPD crime complaints can be broken down as follows:
| Year to Date | 2025 | 2026 |
| Murder | 68 | 44 |
| Rape | 441 | 463 |
| Robbery | 2,850 | 2,607 |
| Felony Assault | 5,898 | 5,795 |
| Burglary | 2,941 | 2,313 |
| Grand Larceny | 9,594 | 9,112 |
| Grand Larceny Auto | 2,448 | 2,400 |
Overall, the city saw 24,150 total crimes in 2025. For 2026, NYC has received 22,734 total crime complaints during the same reporting period.
Rochester Crime Rates
Rochester also experienced a lower crime rate in 2025 than in 2023. In 2024, there were 37 reported homicides with 45 victims, a 26% decrease from 2023 and the second consecutive year of reduction. Motor vehicle thefts had a dramatic drop in recorded cases, from 3,943 in 2023 to 2,068 in 2024, indicating an improvement in overall property crime.
Violent crime is most common in Rochester’s northeast, northwest, and southwest Crescent neighborhood regions. The neighborhoods of North Clinton and Lyell-Otis had the most homicide reports in 2024.
Rochester also saw fewer shootings than normal, totaling 205 victims, with 28 being fatal and 177 being nonfatal (compared to 288 in 2023).
Buffalo Crime Rates
The city of Buffalo has seen significant declines in certain crimes in 2024, including shootings, robberies, and homicides. In 2024, there were 150 shooting victims compared to over 350 in 2020 and 2021. 2024 also saw 30 homicides. This number was doubled in 2021 and hit 54 in 2022. In addition, motor vehicle thefts dropped, but overall theft increased.
Albany Crime Rates
The city of Albany, the state’s capital, also experienced a decline in crime rates in 2024 as compared to 2023. There was a 15% decrease in all crimes. Murders fell 40%, while property crimes saw an overall decrease, including robberies and larcenies. However, a few crimes increased. For instance, rape reports increased by 32% as compared to 2023.
Recent Changes That Impact Criminal Law
Laws are constantly evolving. Sometimes new laws are enacted, or existing ones are updated to keep up with the times. One new law is the Clean Slate Act.
The Clean Slate Act requires some criminal records to be sealed as of November 16, 2024. Under this law, eligible crimes can be sealed after 8 years, while many misdemeanors can be sealed 3 years after sentencing or release. Background checks and job prospects for people with past convictions are greatly impacted by this law.
Currently pending in the legislative process, Senate Bill 2025-S4768 aims to change the penal code by making the solicitation or facilitation of specific crimes a designated offense for the purposes of hate crimes. This would increase the range of offenses covered by hate crime laws if it were passed.
Factors That Affect Crime Rates
Crime rates are influenced by a number of factors that all work together. These are usually social, economic, and environmental. Some factors that influence crime rates include:
- Economic factors. Factors such as high unemployment, poverty, and low income all contribute to crime rates. When individuals’ basic needs are not met, they are more likely to commit crimes to meet them, especially property crimes.
- Policing. Weak or nonexistent police forces lead to increased crime, as the repercussions are low or nonexistent. This also can include police injustice, when tensions may rise in the community, leading to increased crime in the area.
- Educational access. When areas do not have adequate schooling, programs, and treatment services (especially for addiction and mental health), this can result in increased crime rates, especially among juveniles.
- Urban density. While being an urban area does not directly lead to increased crime, these areas tend to have higher populations, which could lead to more crime than in areas with smaller populations.
Seeking Legal Counsel When Accused of a Crime
If you or someone you know has been accused of a crime in New York, it is important to seek legal help right away. A criminal lawyer can protect you against illegal searches and safeguard your rights. They can help you understand the charges against you and advocate for an optimal outcome, such as reduced charges or dismissals. An attorney can also advocate for you in court and negotiate on your behalf.
Additionally, court-based Help Centers offer information about the law. They can also inform you of court procedures. While they do not typically provide legal advice, these centers can help with navigating the court system.
FAQs
Q: Can Crime Rates Affect Bail Decisions in New York?
A: No, crime rates themselves don’t affect bail decisions in New York. Judges evaluate statutory factors, such as the risk of flight, the nature of the charges, and the defendant’s criminal history, when making a decision. Depending on the circumstances of your case, the safety of the community may also be considered.
Q: Are Juvenile Crime Statistics Included in Citywide Crime Rates?
A: No, juvenile crime statistics aren’t always included in citywide crime rates. This is because juvenile matters are often handled in specific courts, and reporting practices can vary depending on the charge and the accused’s age. Some incidents involving juveniles might appear in the crime data, while others are processed separately under youth offender statutes.
Q: Can Crime Data Be Used as Evidence in a Criminal Trial?
A: No, crime data can’t be used as evidence in a criminal trial, as courts focus on direct evidence like forensic findings, witness testimony, and legally obtained statements. That said, statistical trends can help your New York criminal defense attorney, as statistics can reveal aggressive policing, quota pressures, or targeted enforcement initiatives.
Q: How Long Does a Criminal Case Typically Take to Be Resolved in New York?
A: The amount of time it takes to resolve a criminal case in New York varies widely, as it can depend on the type of charges, the severity of said charges, the schedule of the court, the amount of evidence that’s available, and whether the matter resolves by plea or trial.
Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer You Can Trust
If you have been charged with a crime in New York, you need to hire a criminal defense lawyer in NYC from the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC. Our team can assist you with the upcoming legal process. Contact us today to get started.
