There are many compelling reasons to consider a move to New York State. Known as the Empire State, New York has earned its nickname for good reason. It reigns as a financial hub and key international player, boasting a huge diverse economy- spanning technology, media, healthcare, education, tourism, and agriculture. New York State has economic opportunities, diverse cultural and culinary options, excellent schools and healthcare, and scenic beauty (think Niagara Falls or the Adirondack Mountains).
But one of your most important considerations when moving anywhere is selecting a safe area for relocation. It is essential to research the safety status of New York State.
Is New York A Safe State?
New York state has a B- rate for crime– with a rate of crime slightly lower than the average US state. It ranked in the 57th percentile for safety- meaning 43% of states are safer and 57% of states are more dangerous. The northeast part of New York State is seen as its safest area.
But beyond this B- rating, this year brought even more positive safety news for New York State.
US News and World Report compiles an annual Healthiest Communities analysis of the safest regions in the U.S. When it came out in Aug 2024, New York had 8 counties in the top 25 with the best public safety records nationwide. (That number actually rises to 10 counties on the top 25 list– if New Jersey’s Bergen County and Morris County are added in as metropolitan areas of NYC). In addition, New York Governor Kathy Hochul was quick to praise her state’s declining crime rate, down 6% year over year.
States across the country have been making strides in improving public safety. For instance, Texas has seen notable advancements, with Safest Neighborhoods In Texas emerging as a prime example of a region that has prioritized safety and security.
One notable example is the Safest Neighborhoods In Chicago. Chicago, too, has made significant strides in recent years, with its commitment to public safety evident in the numerous initiatives it has implemented.
The 8 Safe Places To Live In New York State
- NASSAU COUNTY, NY is on the top of the safest counties list. Factors considered were crime, injuries, crash fatality rates, and emergency facility availability. Nassau County’s per capita spending on health/emergency services launched it to its #1 position. Great Neck Plaza in Nassau County on Long Island is specifically on various lists as a top safe place to live in New York State. It has an urban feel, with a population of 7,443- 59% here own their own homes, 41% rent. Median home value in Great Neck Plaza is about $391,400 compared to the national median of $281,900 (median rent is $2,263 compared to the national median rent of $1,268). Median household income here is $54,591 ($70,781 for a family). Public schools are well-rated. There is a railroad in Great Neck Plaza for commuters, along with restaurants, bars and parks. Nearby Kensington in Nassau County is also highly rated as one of the safe low-crime areas in New York State, but the living here is pricier, with a median home value of $1,414,800 and median rent of $3,501.
- ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY– part of the New York metropolitan area- came in #3 on US News and World’s latest safety rankings. Its per capita spending on health and emergency services accelerated its ranking, along with its scenic Hudson Valley outdoor offerings (one third of this county is parkland). Rockland County has the largest Jewish population per capita of any U.S. county- 31.4% of their population of 340,807. The median home price here is $753,500. Upper Nyack, West Nyack, Piermont, Bardonia are often mentioned among the best places to live in Rockland County.
- WESTCHESTER COUNTY is #6 on U.S. News and World’s list. Fans of author Washington Irving will recognize the area from his spooky headless horseman tale in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Westchester County offers suburban charm with easy access to New York City. Typical home values are $796,175, and rents for a 1br apartment hover around $1,934. Near the CT border, the quaint New England style city of Rye is top of many safe city lists. Safety however comes at a cost- Irvington– another favorite city in Westchester County- is ranked by Bloomberg as 54th on a list of America’s wealthiest places to live.
- PUTNAM COUNTY, NY is 8th for the annual U.S. News and World analysis. Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes is one of many famous people that call the area home. TV and film have often liked Putnam County too- e.g. HBO’s The Undoing (with Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Donald Sutherland) was recently filmed here. 84% of the 97,942 residents own (16% rent). Housing prices here are a median of $599.9K. Rents for a 1 bedroom are around $2,451. The area is a favorite with young professionals and good for families. Mahopec, Carmel Hamlet, Lake Carmel, Patterson, and Brewster are often mentioned on lists as secure cities.
- RICHMOND COUNTY(STATEN ISLAND), NY is just south of NYC’s Manhattan across the Upper Bay with views of the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. Known for its high rankings for job markets, diversity and education levels, Richmond County residents are often in the finance, media and tech industries. Median home prices are $613,300 and 1 bedroom rents are around $1,602. Richmond property crime is at 17.2 out of 100, below the US average of 35.4. Its cost of living (food, housing, childcare, healthcare, etc.) is 158.4- 58.4% higher than the US average, and 30.4% higher than the NY average.
- QUEENS COUNTY, NY has a growing population, 2.3 million (or 1.9%) up from 2010 The median household income is $82,026 and housing is 123% higher than the national average. Queens is a popular borough in Queens County, and is a diverse mostly urban environment filled with young professionals. 55% here rent (median rent $1,847) and 45% own (median home value $677,700). Other favorite cities in this area are Flushing, Astoria, Long Island City, and Forest Hills. Some areas that are considered more affordable include Sunnyside (with rents around $1800) Jackson Heights (approximately $1800/mo), and Elmhurst (approximately $2,000 mo)- all with commuter access to Manhattan.
- SUFFOLK COUNTY NY on Long Island is the stereotypical summer playground, famous for The Hamptons- with lavish estates, pristine beaches and world-class golfing. Suffolk County is on numerous lists as a great place for retirees. Dix Hills, Stony Brook, and Poquott are the top family-friendly communities in Suffolk county. Needless to say, the median household income here is $122,498, and median property values are $490,800. Suffolk County has an A- crime grade in the 82nd percentile- only 18% of US counties are safer.
- KINGS COUNTY NY is the birthplace of famous American singer Barbra Streisand, and site of Coney Island’s yearly famous “Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.” Kings County occupies the southwest tip of Long Island, and is made up of the borough of Brooklyn. Latest median household income is $67,753 in households that are 36.7% white, 28.6% black, 11.7% Asian, and others. Average rent is high at $3,393/mo. Kings County housing costs are high– it takes $756,900 to buy a house. Renting a 1 bedroom will cost $2,451/mo. Kings County was not specifically rated well for violent crime (586.2/100k compared to the national average of 255.2/100k) but the U.S. News and World analysis additionally factored in access to care, per capita spending on health/emergency services, healthy behaviors and other factors. This put Kings County NY in the 25th place on their list- the last of the 8 NY counties to make their top 25.
This is an overview of some safe and healthy communities in New York State. Now you have resources from which to choose a secure home for your relocation to the beautiful Empire State.
