Homicides in major U.S. cities have fallen 17% since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decline reverses a surge in violent crime that occurred in many metropolitan areas during 2020 and 2021.

Data gathered by the Major Cities Chiefs Association's (MCCA) survey from city police departments and national tracking efforts show the downward trend has continued into 2026.

According to the study, the more pronounced examples of homicide rates dropping have occurred in Newark, New Jersey, where six cases have been reported compared to 2025, when 17 were announced. A nearly 65% drop for the Garden State.

In Arlington, Texas, a 60% drop has been reported, as only four homicides have been reported compared to last year's ten.

Other notable statistics from the study show that, on average, robberies are down 16.6%, rapes are down 6.2%, and aggravated assaults are down 5.7%.

Officials in several large cities credit a combination of increased policing resources and community programs for the improvement.

The drop has eased pressure on local budgets, which were strained by higher emergency response costs in prior years.

Residents in affected neighborhoods report a greater sense of security as street-level violence recedes. Business districts that saw reduced foot traffic during the pandemic have also noted modest recovery in activity.

National crime statistics compiled by federal agencies align with the city-level findings. The overall pattern indicates a return toward pre-2020 homicide rates across urban centers.

While further monitoring of this trend will continue through the remainder of 2026, analysts have noted that the reduction has varied by region, with some cities experiencing steeper declines than others.