Is Bartow or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bartow is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 33/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,282 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 26% lower. Bartow has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bartow has a 30% lower rate.
Note: St. Petersburg is 12.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bartow — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bartow, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bartow | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,281.8 | 3,080.8 | -798.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 491.7 | 621.9 | -130.2 |
| Murder Rate | 4.8 | 6.8 | -2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 43.0 | 43.4 | -0.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 66.8 | 81.5 | -14.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 377.1 | 487.9 | -110.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,790.2 | 2,458.9 | -668.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.4 | 209.4 | +162.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,298.5 | 2,029.8 | -731.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 119.3 | 219.6 | -100.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bartow or St. Petersburg safer?
Bartow is safer with a total crime rate of 2,282 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bartow has a violent crime rate of 491.7 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. Bartow has lower violent crime.
About Bartow, FL
Bartow, the "City of Oaks and Azaleas," is the county seat of Polk County in Central Florida. Founded in 1851, it's home to the historic Polk County Courthouse and a diverse population of about 20,000 residents. With a safety score of 33/100 and a population coverage of 20,948, Bartow has a total crime rate of 2,281.8 per 100,000 residents.
About St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg, Florida, known as the "Sunshine City," boasts a vibrant arts scene and beautiful waterfront parks along Tampa Bay. It is part of the Tampa Bay Area, a major metropolitan region on Florida's Gulf Coast. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 264,999, St. Petersburg has a total crime rate of 3,080.8 per 100,000 residents.