Is Bellevue or Tacoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bellevue is safer than Tacoma (Safety Score 13/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,479 per 100,000 versus 6,667 for Tacoma — 48% lower. Bellevue has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellevue has a 93% lower rate.
Bellevue — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tacoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellevue, WA
Tacoma, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellevue | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,479.4 | 6,666.7 | -3,187.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 139.9 | 1,063.0 | -923.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 9.8 | -9.2 |
| Rape Rate | 9.9 | 67.9 | -58.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.8 | 184.4 | -133.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 77.2 | 801.0 | -723.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,339.5 | 5,603.6 | -2,264.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 362.3 | 669.7 | -307.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,636.6 | 3,521.3 | -884.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 340.6 | 1,412.6 | -1,072.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellevue or Tacoma safer?
Bellevue is safer with a total crime rate of 3,479 per 100K vs 6,667 for Tacoma — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellevue has a violent crime rate of 139.9 per 100K while Tacoma has 1,063.0. Bellevue has lower violent crime.
About Bellevue, WA
Bellevue, "Beautiful View" in French, began as a logging town and now boasts a vibrant tech industry. Situated across Lake Washington from Seattle, it's a rapidly growing city with a diverse, affluent population. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 151,520, Bellevue has a total crime rate of 3,479.4 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.