Is Buffalo, NY Safe? 2026 Crime Rates & Safety Report
Key facts
- 01
Buffalo, New York reported 159.91 robbery offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 3.31 times the national reference of 48.24 per 100,000 and 111.67 per 100,000 above that reference, with 442 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 02
Buffalo, New York reported 585.03 motor vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 3.03 times the national reference of 193.00 per 100,000 and 392.03 per 100,000 above that reference, with 1,617 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 03
Buffalo, New York reported 439.95 burglary offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 2.34 times the national reference of 188.15 per 100,000 and 251.80 per 100,000 above that reference, with 1,216 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 04
Buffalo, New York reported 510.86 aggravated assault offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 2.23 times the national reference of 229.56 per 100,000 and 281.30 per 100,000 above that reference, with 1,412 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 05
Buffalo, New York reported 2,390.04 larceny-theft offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 2.16 times the national reference of 1,106.97 per 100,000 and 1,283.07 per 100,000 above that reference, with 6,606 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
Quick answer
In the Safety Atlas 2026 public safety index, Buffalo, NY has an adjusted safety score of 14.69 out of 100. It ranks #6 in this comparison set out of the 6 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in New York. Its overall crime trajectory is currently classified as decreasing.
Jump to Section
2026 edition, FBI source year 2025.
Every number on this page ships in the New York workbook.
Key Public Safety Indicators
Reported rates per 100,000 residents; national references shown alongside.
| Offense Class | Annual Count | Rate per 100K | National Avg | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbery | 442 | 159.91 | 48.24 |
3.31× national |
| Aggravated Assault | 1412 | 510.86 | 229.56 |
2.23× national |
| Burglary | 1216 | 439.95 | 188.15 |
2.34× national |
| Larceny-theft | 6606 | 2390.04 | 1106.97 |
2.16× national |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1617 | 585.03 | 193.0 |
3.03× national |
Comparing Buffalo to somewhere else? Take the file with you.
What drives Buffalo's safety score?
Buffalo ranks in the bottom quarter of the 6 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in New York, ahead of approximately 0% of that scored set. The profile uses a reporting population of 276,397 and source-year data through 2025; it is a citywide agency-level comparison, not a neighborhood forecast.
The strongest of the three score components is Personal Safety at 23.71, while Property Security is lowest at 0.0. The 23.71-point spread shows why the composite should be read by component instead of as a single absolute claim about safety.
Among the five public offense indicators, Robbery is highest relative to its national reference at 159.91 per 100,000 (3.31× the national rate). Larceny-theft is lowest on the same relative basis at 2390.04 per 100,000 (2.16× national).
Coverage check: 18 of 18 tracked offense classes have reportable values in this profile. Missing values are not converted to zero.
Public indicator mix
Buffalo, New York recorded 6,606 larceny-theft offenses in 2025, 58.5% of the 11,293 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 442 robbery reports (3.9%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Buffalo, New York recorded 1,617 motor vehicle theft offenses in 2025, 14.3% of the 11,293 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 442 robbery reports (3.9%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Buffalo, New York recorded 1,412 aggravated assault offenses in 2025, 12.5% of the 11,293 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 442 robbery reports (3.9%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Buffalo, New York uses a reporting population of 276,397 residents and has values for 18 of the 18 tracked offense classes (100.0%) in its 2025 profile; coverage describes available classes rather than the share of residents reporting crime.
Buffalo, New York has an adjusted score of 14.69 points out of 100 versus 60.8 in Yonkers, New York, a difference of 46.11 points below that displayed state peer in the 2025 source-year profile; Buffalo ranks 6 of 6 scored jurisdictions in the published state comparison set.
Buffalo, New York has an adjusted score of 14.69 points out of 100 versus 52.18 in Syracuse, New York, a difference of 37.49 points below that displayed state peer in the 2025 source-year profile; Buffalo ranks 6 of 6 scored jurisdictions in the published state comparison set.
Detailed Crime Class Breakdown
Additional tracked offense classes
- Homicide
- Rape
- Kidnapping/Abduction
- Human Trafficking
- Arson
- Theft From Building
- Theft From Motor Vehicle
- Simple Assault
- Intimidation
- Stolen Property Offenses
- Vandalism
- Weapon Law Violations
- Drug/Narcotic Violations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo safe compared to other places in New York?
Buffalo is classified as having low relative safety in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index. It has an adjusted safety score of 14.69 out of 100 and ranks #6 in this comparison set out of the 6 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in New York.
What is the crime rate in Buffalo?
Public offense rates are listed above.
What is Buffalo's safety rating?
Buffalo's safety rating in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index is 14.69 out of 100, which ranks #6 in this comparison set out of the 6 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in New York. Its overall crime trajectory is currently classified as decreasing, using source-year data through 2025.
What is the safest neighborhood in Buffalo?
This profile covers the reporting jurisdiction; consult local sources for neighborhood detail.
Why are some crime statistics locked for Buffalo?
Full offense series: state workbook.
Reading notes
Safety Atlas methodology · 2026 coverage report
Cite This Public Safety Profile
Citation formats:
Primary Source Data Integrity
- Crime Counts: FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) database.
- Demographics: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimate boundaries.
- Methodology: Adjusted per-capita normalization with small-sample relief controls. View our complete Methodology Documentation.