Is Auburn or Seattle Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Auburn is safer than Seattle (Safety Score 6/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,512 per 100,000 versus 5,783 for Seattle — 22% lower. Auburn has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Seattle has a 43% lower rate.
Note: Seattle is 9.2x 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 Auburn, WA?
Auburn — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Seattle — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Auburn, WA
Seattle, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Auburn | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,512.4 | 5,783.1 | -1,270.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 544.4 | 775.5 | -231.0 |
| Murder Rate | 12.1 | 6.8 | +5.2 |
| Rape Rate | 88.1 | 46.3 | +41.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 137.6 | 220.6 | -83.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 305.4 | 501.3 | -195.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,968.0 | 5,007.6 | -1,039.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 530.0 | 1,152.0 | -622.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,180.2 | 2,882.0 | -701.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,257.9 | 973.6 | +284.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auburn or Seattle safer?
Auburn is safer with a total crime rate of 4,512 per 100K vs 5,783 for Seattle — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Auburn has a violent crime rate of 544.4 per 100K while Seattle has 775.5. Auburn has lower violent crime.
About Auburn, WA
Auburn, a city in King County, was once known as Slaughter, a nod to its agricultural past. Situated at the confluence of the Green and White rivers, it's a diverse community with a significant percentage of residents identifying as Asian. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 82,838, Auburn has a total crime rate of 4,512.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Seattle, WA
Seattle, a major port city in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its vibrant music scene, particularly grunge, which emerged here. Situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it’s home to a diverse population with a strong tech industry presence. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 760,058, Seattle has a total crime rate of 5,783.1 per 100,000 residents.