15 Safest Cities in New York [2023 Data]

When you hear New York, you may be conjuring up images of Times Square or the Statue of Liberty — but the Empire State has so much more to offer than just its largest city. Life in New York also comes with beautiful fall foliage, apple picking, and much more.

If you want to make New York your home but aren’t sure where to start looking, we’ve evaluated 100 cities to find the safest cities in new york to help you begin your search.

1. Rye

County: Westchester

Population: 16,104

Violent Crime Rate: 0 per 100,000

FEMA Rating: 94.3

Nearest major city: 40 minute train to Manhattan

The safest city in New York is Rye, which is located in Westchester County on the Long Island Sound. Rye is perfect if you want to spend your summers lounging on the beach while staying close to the bustle of New York City. Rye is also home to Playland, usually called Rye Playland by locals, which is a historic amusement park that’s been open since 1928.

Rye has the lowest violent crime rate, second lowest nonviolent crime rate, and second highest income on our list. These factors outweigh its high cost of living and moderate FEMA risk, making it the safest city in New York.

2. Suffern

County: Rockland

Population: 11,364

Violent Crime Rate: 18 per 100,000

FEMA Rating: 90.3

Nearest major city: one hour drive to Manhattan

Suffern is a village located on the border of New Jersey and about an hour’s drive from Manhattan. This village is home to Avon’s Global Research and Development facility and has a large commuter population. Suffern is known for its historic movie theater, the Lafayette Theater, which opened in 1924 and still has a live organist play before shows on Fridays and Saturdays.

Suffern earns the title of the second safest city in New York through residing in Rockland County, which has the lowest county nonviolent crime rate and sixth lowest violent crime rate. The village itself has the eighth lowest violent crime rate on our list and a lower poverty rate.

3. Sleepy Hollow

County: Westchester

Population: 13,338

Violent Crime Rate: 0 per 100,000

FEMA Rating: 94.3

Nearest major city: 50 minute train to Manhattan

Sleepy Hollow is a charming village on the Hudson River, known as the setting for the famous short story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Despite this, living in Sleepy Hollow is anything but scary, and it’s the third safest city on our list. Sleepy Hollow has it all — beautiful views of the Hudson, historic architecture galore, mountainous views of the Hudson Valley, and a train that brings you to Grand Central in less than an hour.

Sleepy Hollow is tied with Rye for the lowest violent crime rate with no instances of violent crime and trails just behind it with the fourth lowest nonviolent crime rate on our list. It also has the lowest FEMA risk in our top 15 cities, making Sleepy Hollow third on our list and a safe place for your next home.

4. Airmont

County: Rockland

Population: 10,102

Violent Crime Rate: 49 per 100,000

FEMA Rating: 90.3

Nearest major city: 1 hour drive to Manhattan

Airmont is another small village in Rockland County, sharing a border with the second safest city in New York, Suffern. These villages share a public school district with a few neighboring villages. For nature lovers, Airmont is close to Kakiat County Park for casual hiking and picnicking. It’s also just a 10-minute drive to parts of Harriman Park, the second-largest park in the parks system.

Airmont’s proximity to Suffern means the two villages are very similar, though Airmont’s median income, poverty rate, and cost of living are all slightly higher. These factors bring it to fourth place on our list and make it another great place to live in the Hudson Valley.

5. Harrison

County: Westchester

Population: 29,083

Violent Crime Rate: 21 per 100,000

FEMA Rating: 94.3

Nearest major city: 45 minute train to Manhattan

Harrison is a town in downstate New York, bordering Connecticut. It’s home to SUNY Purchase, a public four-year college known for its Conservatory of Theater Arts and Film with many notable alumni, including Stanley Tucci, Constance Wu, Zoe Kravitz, and Edie Falco.

There are golf courses galore in Harrison, so it’s the perfect place for anyone looking to perfect their swing. Harrison comes in 11th lowest for violent and 13th for nonviolent crime. It also has the eighth lowest poverty rate and seventh highest income of any city we studied. However, the cost of living in Harrison is very high. This brings the town to fifth place.

6. Scarsdale

County: Westchester

Population: 17,557

Violent Crime Rate: 17 per 100,000

FEMA Rating: 94.3

Nearest major city: 35 minute train to Manhattan 

Scarsdale is a town just west of Harrison, NY. It’s known for having great schools and is an older neighborhood in New York, so there’s a great mix of architecture to explore. Scarsdale is a nice retreat from the city, with its walkable neighborhoods and suburban feel.

Scarsdale has the highest income of the cities we looked at and the lowest poverty rate. It has the seventh lowest violent crime rate and a lower population density, making it the 6th safest city in New York. This fact and the great public schools make Scarsdale a popular place to live for people with young children.

7. Rye Brook

County: Westchester

Population: 9,819

Violent Crime Rate: 0 per 100,000

FEMA Rating: 94.3

Nearest major city: 1.2 hour train to New York

To the east of Harrison, Rye Brook is directly on the Connecticut border. There are several smaller public parks to explore throughout Rye Brook, including Crawford Park, Pine Ridge Park, and Harkness Park.

Rye Brook’s median income is over $179,000, with a poverty rate of just 5.3%, so this town is on the more expensive side, but it also had no instances of violent crime. This makes Rye Brook a great place to move to in the Westchester area.

8. Great Neck

County: Nassau

Population: 11,052

Violent Crime Rate: 9 per 100,000

FEMA Rating: 96.7

Nearest major city: 35 minute train to Manhattan

Long Island is known for its beach towns, family-friendly atmosphere, and proximity to New York City. Nestled next to Queens, Great Neck is a town for families who want access to some of the best beaches in New York and a quick train ride to the city. 

If you’re looking for a safe city to live in, Great Neck has the lowest nonviolent crime rate and fifth lowest violent crime rate in New York. Most of the downstate area has a higher FEMA index than you’d expect due to hurricane risk, and this is especially true living in Long Island. This makes Great Neck the eighth safest city in New York, despite its higher FEMA index score.

9. Glens Falls

County: Warren

Population: 14,557

Violent Crime Rate: 69 per 100,000

FEMA Rating: 40.98

Nearest major city: 1 hour drive to Albany

If city living isn’t for you, Glens Falls is a town in upstate New York which is only a 20-minute drive from Lake George. The surrounding areas are famous for their lakefront beaches, hiking, camping, and winter sports. While there’s a strong tourism industry, this area’s year-round attractions keep it from being too crowded. 

This area is perfect for enjoying nature without committing to a more remote location. Glens Falls is the first city on our list with a cost of living below the national average. It also has a much lower FEMA risk than downstate cities, bringing it to spot nine.

10. Glen Cove

County: Nassau

Population: 27,877

Violent Crime Rate: 11 per 100,000

FEMA Rating: 96.7

Nearest major city: 1 hour train to Manhattan

Glen Cove is a bit deeper in Long Island than Great Neck. Within its borders, there are two waterfront parks to enjoy, the Morgan Memorial Park and Welwyn Nature Preserve. The great thing about living in Long Island is that you get all the charm of an east coast beach town — except families stay there year-round.

How does Glen Cove measure up against our other cities? Glen Cove has the sixth lowest violent crime rate and 10th lowest nonviolent crime rate of cities we studied in New York. This makes it the 10th safest city in New York.

11. New Rochelle

County: Westchester

Population: 83,682

Violent Crime Rate: 24 per 100,000

FEMA Rating: 94.3

Nearest major city: 30 minute train to Manhattan

New Rochelle is another popular suburb of New York City on the Long Island Sound. It’s home to Glen Island Park, a small island in the Long Island Sound with beaches and historic structures to explore. The park is for Westchester residents only, so it doesn’t get too crowded, and it’s a great spot to lounge all summer long.

New Rochelle has the 13th lowest violent crime and fifth lowest nonviolent crime rates of the 100 cities we studied in New York. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a suburb with a metropolitan feel that isn’t quite as crowded as New York City.

12. Long Beach

County: Nassau

Population: 34,525

Violent Crime Rate: 38 per 100,000

FEMA Rating: 94.3

Nearest major city: 50 minute train to Manhattan

Long Beach is a city located on a barrier island of Long Island, though it’s not to be confused with Long Beach Island in New Jersey. Long Beach’s boardwalk has been popular since the early 1900s and was built by the same developer as Coney Island. 

Long Beach ranks 12th due to its very low nonviolent crime rate — it ranks third for this metric. It ranks in the midteens for violent crime rate, poverty rate, and median income as well. This makes it perfect for families who want a safe waterfront community with a city feel.

13. Dobbs Ferry

County: Westchester

Population: 11,267

Violent Crime Rate: 18 per 100,000

FEMA Rating: 94.3

Nearest major city: 1 hour train or drive to Manhattan

Back to the other side of Westchester on the Hudson, you’ll find the village of Dobbs Ferry. Explore Waterfront Park with scenic views of the Palisades across the river and launching points for kayaks or canoes. There’s also Juhring Nature Preserve, where you can explore 76 acres of wooded areas with easier hikes and walking paths.

Dobbs Ferry has the ninth lowest violent crime rate, though its nonviolent crime rate is higher in 28th place. This safe village on the water breaches the top 10 for median income and poverty rate, which earns it the 13th spot overall.

14. Massena

County: St. Lawrence

Population: 10,109

Violent Crime Rate: 69 per 100,000

FEMA Rating: 44.64

Nearest major city: 1.5 hour drive to Ottawa

Right on the Canadian border, Massena is a smaller village if you’re looking for a slower lifestyle. Just because Massena is a more scenic town doesn't mean it’s in the middle of nowhere! It’s less than 2 hours from Ottawa, Montréal, Lake Placid, and Saranac Lake, so you have endless options for day trips or weekend getaways.

The cost of living in Massena is the lowest of our 15 safest cities in New York at 27.6% below the national average, and it has a much lower FEMA index as well. These factors make it the 14th safest city and a great place to live in upstate New York.

15. Massapequa Park

County: Nassau

Population: 16,923

Violent Crime Rate: 18 per 100,000

FEMA Rating: 96.7

Nearest major city: 1 hour train to Manhattan

Directly to the east of the Massapequa Preserve on Long Island resides the village of Massapequa Park. This village runs along the preserve to South Oyster Bay and offers a more rural feel compared to the rest of Long Island. The Massapequa Preserve encompasses over 400 acres with trails for walking, hiking, and biking, along with lakefront views and fishing.

Though Massapequa Park also has a higher cost of living, it has the lowest of the Long Island cities we’ve featured in our top 15 cities. It also has the 10th lowest violent crime rate, the fifth highest median income, and ninth lowest poverty rate. Massapequa Park rounds out our list in spot 15 and is a more affordable option in Long Island.

Other Safest Cities in New York

Looking for other options in New York state? Check out these cities that ranked 15 to 30 according to our safety metrics.

16. Monroe

17. Floral Park

18. Rockville Centre

19. Chestnut Ridge

20. Garden City

21. Cohoes

22. New Hyde Park

23. Tarrytown

24. Lynbrook

25. Amityville

26. Woodbury

27. West Haverstraw

28. Beacon

29. Port Chester

30. Lake Grove

Methodology

We used a weighted ranking of the top 100 cities by population in New York to determine which cities are safest. We used data from the U.S. Census, FBI- and state-reported crime, FEMA, and Best Places cost of living score, ranking them as follows:

• City violent crime rate - 30%

• City property crime rate - 25%

• FEMA index - 15%

• County violent crime rate - 5%

• County property crime rate - 5%

• Median household income - 5%

• Poverty rate - 5%

• Cost of living - 5%

• Population density - 5%

Most of our crime data was sourced from the FBI crime data explorer, but the following cities had insufficient data and were sourced from Neighborhood Scout:

• Massapequa Park

• Patchogue

• Westbury

• Babylon

• Lake Grove

• West Haverstraw

• Mount Kisco

• Chestnut Ridge

• New Hyde Park

• East Rockaway

• Airmont

• Valley Stream

• Lindenhurst

• Mineola

• Rensselaer

Two religious communities, New Square and Kiryas Joel, were excluded from our data since residency there is not allowed for the general public. 

Find Your Place in the Empire State

Whether you want to live in the Big Apple or sit lakeside in an upstate cabin, your perfect New York home is waiting for you. Check out our homes for sale in New York today and reach out to UpHomes to help you find your next home.