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D-

Is Tacoma, Washington Safe?

Population 229,816 · Safer than 14% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Tacoma faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 86% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,723 per 100K.

Tacoma Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricTacomaWashington AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate338.6318.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2414.52054.41,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate218.0--268.2
Theft Rate1723.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate462.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

275.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

339/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2415/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Tacoma

Violent crime in Tacoma is close to the national average. The rate of 338.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2414.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,723 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Tacoma Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault218
081% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery40
063% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary418
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,723
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft462
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Tacoma Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Tacoma
338.6
State
318.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Tacoma
2414.5
State
2054.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Tacoma Safety

Is Tacoma safe?
Not especially. Tacoma earns a D- with a crime rate of 275.3 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 Tacoma?
275.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 338.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2414.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Tacoma safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Tacoma's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,723 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Tacoma?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Tacoma generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Tacoma police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Tacoma?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Tacoma's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Tacoma compare to other cities in Washington?
Below average for the state. Tacoma ranks behind about 84% of Washington cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Tacoma to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Tacoma?
Bad. A D- grade and 275.3 per-thousand rate put Tacoma below 86% of US cities. Violent crime at 339 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Tacoma?
338.6 per 100,000, which is 7% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (218), robbery (40), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Washington

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View all Washington 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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