CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D-

Is Syracuse, New York Safe?

Population 144,896 · Safer than 14% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate below the national average, Syracuse faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 86% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,690 per 100K.

Syracuse Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSyracuseNew York AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate278.0320.4363.8
Property Crime Rate2490.32030.01,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate187.0--268.2
Theft Rate1690.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate341.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD-

276.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

278/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2490/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Syracuse

Violent crime in Syracuse is below the national average. The rate of 278.0 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2490.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,690 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Syracuse Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault187
070% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery39
062% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary349
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,690
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft341
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Syracuse Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Syracuse
278.0
State
320.4
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Syracuse
2490.3
State
2030.0
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Syracuse Safety

Is Syracuse safe?
Not especially. Syracuse earns a D- with a crime rate of 276.8 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Syracuse?
276.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 278.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2490.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Syracuse safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Syracuse's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,690 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Syracuse?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Syracuse generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Syracuse police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Syracuse?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Syracuse's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Syracuse compare to other cities in New York?
Below average for the state. Syracuse ranks behind about 88% of New York cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.4x the national rate.
How safe is Syracuse to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Syracuse?
Bad. A D- grade and 276.8 per-thousand rate put Syracuse below 86% of US cities. Violent crime at 278 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Syracuse?
278.0 per 100,000, which is 24% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (187), robbery (39), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in New York

Similar-sized communities in New York. Compare crime rates across the state.

D
See crime rates in Albany101,698 pop · Grade D
D-
See crime rates in New Rochelle85,864 pop · Grade D-
D
See crime rates in Rochester206,108 pop · Grade D
D-
See crime rates in Yonkers212,603 pop · Grade D-
C-
See crime rates in Mount Vernon72,304 pop · Grade C-
D
See crime rates in Schenectady69,471 pop · Grade D
View all New York city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Syracuse

Get weekly safety updates for Syracuse

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities