Is Baltimore or Bowie Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bowie is safer than Baltimore (Safety Score 29/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,473 per 100,000 versus 5,763 for Baltimore — 57% lower. Baltimore has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bowie has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Baltimore is 10.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Baltimore — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bowie — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Baltimore, MD
Bowie, MD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Baltimore | Bowie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,763.2 | 2,473.3 | +3,289.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,606.2 | 193.2 | +1,412.9 |
| Murder Rate | 34.8 | 0.0 | +34.8 |
| Rape Rate | 57.5 | 35.1 | +22.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 573.2 | 58.0 | +515.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 940.7 | 100.1 | +840.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,157.0 | 2,280.0 | +1,877.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 523.8 | 138.8 | +385.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,581.9 | 1,761.8 | +820.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,051.3 | 379.4 | +671.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baltimore or Bowie safer?
Bowie is safer with a total crime rate of 2,473 per 100K vs 5,763 for Baltimore — a 57% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Baltimore has a violent crime rate of 1,606.2 per 100K while Bowie has 193.2. Bowie has lower violent crime.
About Baltimore, MD
Baltimore, Maryland, a historic port city on the Patapsco River, is home to the Inner Harbor and a diverse population. Known for its distinct neighborhoods and the legacy of Edgar Allan Poe, it's the most populous city in Maryland. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 566,632, Baltimore has a total crime rate of 5,763.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Bowie, MD
Bowie, Maryland, a Prince George's County suburb, was originally a railroad stop called Huntington. It's home to Bowie State University, one of the nation's oldest Historically Black colleges. With a safety score of 29/100 and a population coverage of 56,929, Bowie has a total crime rate of 2,473.3 per 100,000 residents.