CCCityCheck
Find Your City
SafetyCostThings to DoToolsDataSearch

Seattle vs Portland: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Seattle has a crime rate of 54 per 1,000 residents vs Portland's 56.5 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

Seattle

Washington

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

Portland

Oregon

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSeattlePortland
Overall Crime Rate54/1K56.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate600.0450.0
Property Crime Rate4800.05200.0
Murder Rate8.98.1
Assault Rate496.5322.6
Robbery Rate84.075.5
Burglary Rate760.1675.3
Theft Rate3673.83657.4
Vehicle Theft Rate541.8714.4

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

Victim Odds Comparison

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

Full Safety Reports

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

Weather Comparison: Seattle vs Portland

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

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

Monthly Temperature Comparison

SeattlePortlandHigh/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 Seattle safer than Portland?
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, Seattle or Portland?
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 Seattle vs Portland?
Seattle has a crime rate of 54 per 1,000 (violent: 600/100K, property: 4800/100K). Portland has 56.5 per 1,000 (violent: 450/100K, property: 5200/100K).
Should I move to Seattle or Portland?
From a safety perspective, Seattle has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Seattle (pop. 784,777) and Portland (pop. 635,109) 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 Seattle and Portland 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

Seattle vs AustinSeattle vs DenverSeattle vs TacomaPortland vs AustinPortland vs DenverPortland vs Eugene

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