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C

Is Scranton, Pennsylvania Safe?

Population 75,514 · Safer than 32% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C grade for Scranton means there's room for concern. The 222.7 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 1,416 per 100K.

Scranton Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricScrantonPennsylvania AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate366.2314.3363.8
Property Crime Rate1860.41983.01,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate277.0--268.2
Theft Rate1416.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate397.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

222.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

366/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1860/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Scranton

Violent crime in Scranton is close to the national average. The rate of 366.2 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1860.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,416 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Scranton Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault277
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery44
070% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary242
090% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,416
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft397
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Scranton Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Scranton
366.2
State
314.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Scranton
1860.4
State
1983.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Scranton Safety

Is Scranton safe?
Not especially. Scranton earns a C with a crime rate of 222.7 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 Scranton?
222.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 366.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1860.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Scranton safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Scranton's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,416 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Scranton?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Scranton generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Scranton police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Scranton?
No. Crime in Scranton has been trending down, which is good news for the C-rated city.
How does Scranton compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
Below average for the state. Scranton ranks behind about 62% of Pennsylvania cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Scranton to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Scranton?
Bad. A C grade and 222.7 per-thousand rate put Scranton below 68% of US cities. Violent crime at 366 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Scranton?
366.2 per 100,000, which is 1% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (277), robbery (44), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania

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View all Pennsylvania city safety grades

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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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