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C-

Is Pensacola, Florida Safe?

Population 53,817 · Safer than 27% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C- grade for Pensacola means there's room for concern. The 234.6 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime close to the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,715 per 100K.

Pensacola Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPensacolaFlorida AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate348.1326.8363.8
Property Crime Rate1998.02070.61,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate248.0--268.2
Theft Rate1715.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate433.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC-

234.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

348/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1998/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Pensacola

Violent crime in Pensacola is close to the national average. The rate of 348.1 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1998.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,715 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Pensacola Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault248
092% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery85
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary290
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,715
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft433
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Pensacola Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Pensacola
348.1
State
326.8
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Pensacola
1998.0
State
2070.6
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pensacola Safety

Is Pensacola safe?
Not especially. Pensacola earns a C- with a crime rate of 234.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Pensacola?
234.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 348.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1998.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Pensacola safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Pensacola's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,715 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Pensacola?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Pensacola generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Pensacola police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Pensacola?
Crime rates have held steady in Pensacola, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does Pensacola compare to other cities in Florida?
Below average for the state. Pensacola ranks behind about 71% of Florida cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Pensacola to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Pensacola?
Bad. A C- grade and 234.6 per-thousand rate put Pensacola below 73% of US cities. Violent crime at 348 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Pensacola?
348.1 per 100,000, which is 4% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (248), robbery (85), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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