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Seattle vs Tacoma: 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 Tacoma's 25.6 per 1,000, making Tacoma 53% safer overall. Tacoma earns a C+ safety grade compared to Seattle'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%
C+

Tacoma

Washington

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate25.6/1K
Percentile43%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSeattleTacoma
Overall Crime Rate54/1K25.6/1K
Violent Crime Rate600.0397.4
Property Crime Rate4800.02165.3
Murder Rate8.96.0
Assault Rate496.5269.5
Robbery Rate84.038.8
Burglary Rate760.1368.1
Theft Rate3673.81575.5
Vehicle Theft Rate541.8423.3

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 0 and Tacoma is safer in 9.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Seattle, you have a 1 in 19 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 39 in Tacoma.

Full Safety Reports

F
Seattle, Washington Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Tacoma, Washington Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Seattle safer than Tacoma?
As of 2026, Tacoma is 53% safer overall, with a crime rate of 25.6 per 1,000 residents compared to Seattle's 54. Tacoma earns a C+ safety grade vs Seattle's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Seattle or Tacoma?
Seattle has more violent crime at 600 per 100,000 residents. Tacoma is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Seattle vs Tacoma?
Seattle has a crime rate of 54 per 1,000 (violent: 600/100K, property: 4800/100K). Tacoma has 25.6 per 1,000 (violent: 397/100K, property: 2165/100K).
Should I move to Seattle or Tacoma?
From a safety perspective, Tacoma has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Seattle (pop. 784,777) and Tacoma (pop. 229,816) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Tacoma's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Seattle and Tacoma compare for property crime?
Tacoma has lower property crime at 2165 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

Seattle 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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