Is Auburn or Tacoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Auburn is safer than Tacoma (Safety Score 6/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,512 per 100,000 versus 6,667 for Tacoma — 32% lower. Auburn has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Auburn has a 49% lower rate.
Note: Tacoma is 2.7x 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
Tacoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Auburn, WA
Tacoma, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Auburn | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,512.4 | 6,666.7 | -2,154.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 544.4 | 1,063.0 | -518.6 |
| Murder Rate | 12.1 | 9.8 | +2.3 |
| Rape Rate | 88.1 | 67.9 | +20.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 137.6 | 184.4 | -46.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 305.4 | 801.0 | -495.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,968.0 | 5,603.6 | -1,635.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 530.0 | 669.7 | -139.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,180.2 | 3,521.3 | -1,341.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,257.9 | 1,412.6 | -154.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auburn or Tacoma safer?
Auburn is safer with a total crime rate of 4,512 per 100K vs 6,667 for Tacoma — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Auburn has a violent crime rate of 544.4 per 100K while Tacoma has 1,063.0. 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 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.