Is Anacortes or Tacoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Anacortes is safer than Tacoma (Safety Score 53/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 1,589 per 100,000 versus 6,667 for Tacoma — 76% lower. Anacortes has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Anacortes has a 94% lower rate.
Note: Tacoma is 12.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Anacortes — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tacoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Anacortes, WA
Tacoma, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Anacortes | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,589.1 | 6,666.7 | -5,077.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 93.8 | 1,063.0 | -969.2 |
| Murder Rate | 5.5 | 9.8 | -4.3 |
| Rape Rate | 16.6 | 67.9 | -51.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 11.0 | 184.4 | -173.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 60.7 | 801.0 | -740.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,495.3 | 5,603.6 | -4,108.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 126.9 | 669.7 | -542.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,280.1 | 3,521.3 | -2,241.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 88.3 | 1,412.6 | -1,324.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anacortes or Tacoma safer?
Anacortes is safer with a total crime rate of 1,589 per 100K vs 6,667 for Tacoma — a 76% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Anacortes has a violent crime rate of 93.8 per 100K while Tacoma has 1,063.0. Anacortes has lower violent crime.
About Anacortes, WA
Anacortes, a port city on Fidalgo Island, serves as the primary ferry terminal for the San Juan Islands and Victoria, B.C. Once a bustling lumber town, its economy now largely relies on tourism and its two oil refineries, employing a significant portion of its over 17,000 residents. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 18,123, Anacortes has a total crime rate of 1,589.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Tacoma, WA
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. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 223,980, Tacoma has a total crime rate of 6,666.7 per 100,000 residents.