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Tampa vs Fort Lauderdale: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Tampa has a crime rate of 22.7 per 1,000 residents vs Fort Lauderdale's 23.9 per 1,000, making Tampa 5% safer overall. Tampa earns a B- safety grade compared to Fort Lauderdale's C+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

B-

Tampa

Florida

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate22.7/1K
Percentile51%
C+

Fort Lauderdale

Florida

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate23.9/1K
Percentile48%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricTampaFort Lauderdale
Overall Crime Rate22.7/1K23.9/1K
Violent Crime Rate436.9352.3
Property Crime Rate1835.02033.2
Murder Rate8.35.9
Assault Rate301.7274.2
Robbery Rate111.744.1
Burglary Rate293.5278.0
Theft Rate1136.01577.3
Vehicle Theft Rate330.9273.3

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, Tampa is safer in 3 and Fort Lauderdale is safer in 6.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Tampa, you have a 1 in 44 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 42 in Fort Lauderdale.

Full Safety Reports

B-
Tampa, Florida Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Fort Lauderdale, Florida Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tampa safer than Fort Lauderdale?
As of 2026, Tampa is 5% safer overall, with a crime rate of 22.7 per 1,000 residents compared to Fort Lauderdale's 23.9. Tampa earns a B- safety grade vs Fort Lauderdale's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Tampa or Fort Lauderdale?
Tampa has more violent crime at 437 per 100,000 residents. Fort Lauderdale is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Tampa vs Fort Lauderdale?
Tampa has a crime rate of 22.7 per 1,000 (violent: 437/100K, property: 1835/100K). Fort Lauderdale has 23.9 per 1,000 (violent: 352/100K, property: 2033/100K).
Should I move to Tampa or Fort Lauderdale?
From a safety perspective, Tampa has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Tampa (pop. 413,554) and Fort Lauderdale (pop. 188,677) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Tampa's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Tampa and Fort Lauderdale compare for property crime?
Tampa has lower property crime at 1835 per 100K vs Fort Lauderdale's 2033. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Tampa vs MiamiTampa vs OrlandoTampa vs JacksonvilleFort Lauderdale vs Miami

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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