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Altoona, PA vs Pittsburgh, PA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Altoona crime rate · Pittsburgh crime rate

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Is Altoona, PA or Pittsburgh, PA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Altoona, PA is safer than Pittsburgh, PA (Safety Score 36/100 vs 24/100), with a total crime rate of 2,185 per 100,000 versus 2,709 for Pittsburgh, PA — 19% lower. Altoona has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Altoona has a 79% lower rate.

Note: Pittsburgh is 7.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Altoona, PA?

Altoona — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Flat Total

Pittsburgh — 4-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Flat Total

Altoona, PA

Altoona, PA
Safety Score 36/100
Coverage 42,424
Total Crime Rate 2,185.1
Category Wins 6/7

Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh, PA
Safety Score 24/100
Coverage 317,177
Total Crime Rate 2,708.6
Category Wins 1/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Altoona Pittsburgh Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,185.1 2,708.6 -523.5
Violent Crime Rate 334.7 428.5 -93.8
Murder Rate 2.4 11.4 -9.0
Rape Rate 75.4 51.7 +23.7
Robbery Rate 73.1 124.2 -51.2
Aggravated Assault Rate 183.9 239.9 -56.1
Property Crime Rate 1,850.4 2,280.1 -429.7
Burglary Rate 332.4 232.7 +99.7
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,402.5 1,704.4 -301.9
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 115.5 343.0 -227.5

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Altoona, PA to Pittsburgh, PA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Altoona or Pittsburgh safer?

Altoona, PA is safer with a total crime rate of 2,185 per 100K vs 2,709 for Pittsburgh, PA — a 19% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Altoona has a violent crime rate of 334.7 per 100K while Pittsburgh has 428.5. Altoona has lower violent crime.

About Altoona, PA

Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, Altoona was once a vital railroad town, home to the Pennsylvania Railroad's extensive shops. Its population of around 44,000 reflects a legacy of industrial heritage. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 42,424, Altoona has a total crime rate of 2,185.1 per 100,000 residents.

About Pittsburgh, PA

Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains where three rivers meet, Pittsburgh is a city of bridges and former steel mills. Its rich industrial past shaped its distinct neighborhoods and resilient, diverse population. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 317,177, Pittsburgh has a total crime rate of 2,708.6 per 100,000 residents.

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