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San Francisco vs Seattle: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

San Francisco has a crime rate of 49.5 per 1,000 residents vs Seattle's 54 per 1,000, making San Francisco 8% safer overall. San Francisco earns a F safety grade compared to Seattle's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

F

San Francisco

California

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate49.5/1K
Percentile4%
F

Seattle

Washington

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSan FranciscoSeattle
Overall Crime Rate49.5/1K54/1K
Violent Crime Rate450.0600.0
Property Crime Rate4500.04800.0
Murder Rate6.88.9
Assault Rate288.5496.5
Robbery Rate61.084.0
Burglary Rate699.8760.1
Theft Rate3660.43673.8
Vehicle Theft Rate1091.0541.8

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, San Francisco is safer in 8 and Seattle is safer in 1.

Victim Odds Comparison

In San Francisco, you have a 1 in 20 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 19 in Seattle.

Full Safety Reports

F
San Francisco, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
F
Seattle, Washington Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: San Francisco vs Seattle

San Francisco Climate Overview

Annual High64.1°F
Annual Low51°F
Annual Rain22.2"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months9
Best MonthSeptember
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Comfortable

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

San FranciscoSeattleHigh/Low °F range
30°40°50°60°70°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Seattle is 5°F warmer in summer than San Francisco, but Seattle is 11°F colder in winter than San Francisco. Seattle gets 4 inches of snow annually, while San Francisco rarely sees any. Seattle is wetter with 37" of annual rain compared to 22". San Francisco has more comfortable weather months (9 vs 5).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco safer than Seattle?
As of 2026, San Francisco is 8% safer overall, with a crime rate of 49.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Seattle's 54. San Francisco earns a F safety grade vs Seattle's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, San Francisco or Seattle?
Seattle has more violent crime at 600 per 100,000 residents. San Francisco is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in San Francisco vs Seattle?
San Francisco has a crime rate of 49.5 per 1,000 (violent: 450/100K, property: 4500/100K). Seattle has 54 per 1,000 (violent: 600/100K, property: 4800/100K).
Should I move to San Francisco or Seattle?
From a safety perspective, San Francisco has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. San Francisco (pop. 826,079) and Seattle (pop. 784,777) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. San Francisco's F safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do San Francisco and Seattle compare for property crime?
San Francisco has lower property crime at 4500 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

San Francisco vs Los AngelesSan Francisco vs San DiegoSan Francisco vs San JoseSeattle vs AustinSeattle vs DenverSeattle 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.

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