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Portland vs Seattle: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Portland has a crime rate of 56.5 per 1,000 residents vs Seattle's 54 per 1,000, making Seattle 4% safer overall. Seattle earns a F safety grade compared to Portland's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

F

Portland

Oregon

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate56.5/1K
Percentile1%
F

Seattle

Washington

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricPortlandSeattle
Overall Crime Rate56.5/1K54/1K
Violent Crime Rate450.0600.0
Property Crime Rate5200.04800.0
Murder Rate8.18.9
Assault Rate322.6496.5
Robbery Rate75.584.0
Burglary Rate675.3760.1
Theft Rate3657.43673.8
Vehicle Theft Rate714.4541.8

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, Portland is safer in 6 and Seattle is safer in 3.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Portland, you have a 1 in 18 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 19 in Seattle.

Full Safety Reports

F
Portland, Oregon Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
F
Seattle, Washington Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Portland vs Seattle

Portland Climate Overview

Annual High63.1°F
Annual Low45.7°F
Annual Rain36.8"
Annual Snow4.7"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthAugust
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

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

PortlandSeattleHigh/Low °F range
40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Portland is 6°F warmer in summer than Seattle, but winter temperatures are comparable. Portland gets significantly more snow (5" vs 4").

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Portland safer than Seattle?
As of 2026, Seattle is 4% safer overall, with a crime rate of 54 per 1,000 residents compared to Portland's 56.5. Seattle earns a F safety grade vs Portland's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Portland or Seattle?
Seattle has more violent crime at 600 per 100,000 residents. Portland is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Portland vs Seattle?
Portland has a crime rate of 56.5 per 1,000 (violent: 450/100K, property: 5200/100K). Seattle has 54 per 1,000 (violent: 600/100K, property: 4800/100K).
Should I move to Portland or Seattle?
From a safety perspective, Seattle has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Portland (pop. 635,109) and Seattle (pop. 784,777) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Seattle's F safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Portland and Seattle compare for property crime?
Seattle has lower property crime at 4800 per 100K vs Portland's 5200. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Portland vs AustinPortland vs DenverPortland vs EugeneSeattle vs AustinSeattle vs DenverSeattle vs Tacoma

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.

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