CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D+

Is Seattle, Washington Safe?

Population 784,777 · Safer than 20% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Seattle has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D+ safety grade reflects a violent crime rate above the national average and an overall rate of 255 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,559 per 100K.

Seattle Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSeattleWashington AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate473.2318.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2077.22054.41,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate385.0--268.2
Theft Rate1559.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate199.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

255 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD-

473/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2077/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Seattle

Violent crime in Seattle is above the national average. The rate of 473.2 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2077.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,559 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 385 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Seattle Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault385
01.4x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery63
0100% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary347
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,559
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft199
063% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Seattle Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Seattle
473.2
State
318.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Seattle
2077.2
State
2054.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Seattle Safety

Is Seattle safe?
Not especially. Seattle earns a D+ with a crime rate of 255 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Seattle?
255 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 473.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2077.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Seattle safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Seattle's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,559 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Seattle?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Seattle generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Seattle police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Seattle?
Crime rates have held steady in Seattle, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Seattle compare to other cities in Washington?
Below average for the state. Seattle ranks behind about 89% of Washington cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Seattle to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Seattle?
Bad. A D+ grade and 255 per-thousand rate put Seattle below 80% of US cities. Violent crime at 473 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Seattle?
473.2 per 100,000, which is 30% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (385), robbery (63), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Washington

Similar-sized communities in Washington. Compare crime rates across the state.

C-
See crime rates in Spokane230,783 pop · Grade C-
D-
See crime rates in Tacoma229,816 pop · Grade D-
C-
See crime rates in Vancouver199,698 pop · Grade C-
C-
See crime rates in Bellevue154,193 pop · Grade C-
D+
See crime rates in Kent134,871 pop · Grade D+
C
See crime rates in Everett113,567 pop · Grade C
View all Washington city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Seattle

Get weekly safety updates for Seattle

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities