Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Tacoma, WA has a Safety Score of 1/100 — higher crime than 99% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 6,666.7 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,941 of 2,971 US cities and #85 of 87 in Washington.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Tacoma, Washington Safe?
Tacoma, nestled on Commencement Bay, boasts a rich industrial past, once a major port for timber and rail. Today, this diverse city, home to over 200,000 residents, features a vibrant arts scene and stunning views of Mount Rainier.
Tacoma has a safety score of 1/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 6,666.7 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Tacoma ranks #85 out of 87 cities in Washington and #2941 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 1st percentile for safety — with higher crime than 99% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Tacoma is motor vehicle theft, at 1,412.6 per 100K — 4.0x the national average.
Year over year, Tacoma's total crime rate decreased by 22.5%, with violent crime declining 14.5%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Tacoma Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 2,381 | 1,063.0 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 22 | 9.8 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 152 | 67.9 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 413 | 184.4 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1,794 | 801.0 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 12,551 | 5,603.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 1,500 | 669.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 7,887 | 3,521.3 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3,164 | 1,412.6 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Tacoma vs Washington Average
How does Tacoma's crime rate compare to the Washington state average?
| Metric | Tacoma | Washington Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,063.0 | 439.5 | +141.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,603.6 | 3,428.6 | +63.4% |
| Murder Rate | 9.8 | 4.7 | +108.1% |
| Total Crime Rate | 6,666.7 | 3,868.1 | +72.3% |
Tacoma Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Tacoma, Washington.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 223,980 | 6,666.7 | 1,063.0 | 5,603.6 |
| 2023 | 222,828 | 8,598.6 | 1,242.7 | 7,355.9 |
| 2022 | 219,027 | 10,183.2 | 1,612.6 | 8,570.6 |
| 2021 | 222,235 | 7,975.3 | 1,187.9 | 6,787.4 |
| 2020 | 220,123 | 6,431.0 | 851.8 | 5,579.2 |
| 2019 | 218,650 | 6,066.3 | 845.6 | 5,220.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tacoma, Washington safe?
Tacoma has a safety score of 1/100, meaning it has less crime than about 1% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 6,666.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Tacoma is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Tacoma, Washington?
According to FBI data for 2024, Tacoma has a violent crime rate of 1,063.0 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 5,603.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Tacoma compare to the national average?
Tacoma's total crime rate of 6,666.7 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 223,980 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Tacoma?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Tacoma include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Tacoma safe to visit?
Like any city, Tacoma has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 1/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.