CCCityCheck
Find Your City
SafetyCostThings to DoToolsDataSearch

Denver vs Seattle: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Denver has a crime rate of 43.5 per 1,000 residents vs Seattle's 54 per 1,000, making Denver 19% safer overall. Denver earns a F safety grade compared to Seattle's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

F

Denver

Colorado

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate43.5/1K
Percentile9%
F

Seattle

Washington

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC-
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate54/1K
Percentile2%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricDenverSeattle
Overall Crime Rate43.5/1K54/1K
Violent Crime Rate550.0600.0
Property Crime Rate3800.04800.0
Murder Rate8.68.9
Assault Rate429.0496.5
Robbery Rate99.884.0
Burglary Rate593.2760.1
Theft Rate3293.73673.8
Vehicle Theft Rate888.1541.8

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Denver is safer in 7 and Seattle is safer in 2.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Denver, you have a 1 in 23 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 19 in Seattle.

Full Safety Reports

F
Denver, Colorado Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
F
Seattle, Washington Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Denver vs Seattle

Denver Climate Overview

Annual High65.3°F
Annual Low36.1°F
Annual Rain15.5"
Annual Snow43.0"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthNovember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Seattle Climate Overview

Annual High60.1°F
Annual Low45.9°F
Annual Rain37.0"
Annual Snow4.0"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJuly
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortable

Monthly Temperature Comparison

DenverSeattleHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Denver is 14°F warmer in summer than Seattle, but Denver is 19°F colder in winter than Seattle. Denver gets significantly more snow (43" vs 4"). Seattle is wetter with 37" of annual rain compared to 16".

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Denver safer than Seattle?
As of 2026, Denver is 19% safer overall, with a crime rate of 43.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Seattle's 54. Denver earns a F safety grade vs Seattle's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Denver or Seattle?
Seattle has more violent crime at 600 per 100,000 residents. Denver is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Denver vs Seattle?
Denver has a crime rate of 43.5 per 1,000 (violent: 550/100K, property: 3800/100K). Seattle has 54 per 1,000 (violent: 600/100K, property: 4800/100K).
Should I move to Denver or Seattle?
From a safety perspective, Denver has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Denver (pop. 740,613) and Seattle (pop. 784,777) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Denver's F safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Denver and Seattle compare for property crime?
Denver has lower property crime at 3800 per 100K vs Seattle's 4800. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Denver vs AustinDenver vs PortlandDenver vs Salt Lake CitySeattle vs AustinSeattle vs PortlandSeattle vs Portland

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national 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