Is Bellingham or Hayward Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bellingham is safer than Hayward (Safety Score 8/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 4,108 per 100,000 versus 4,134 for Hayward — 1% lower. Bellingham has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellingham has a 73% lower rate.
Bellingham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hayward — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellingham, WA
Hayward, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellingham | Hayward | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,107.9 | 4,133.8 | -25.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 351.0 | 477.1 | -126.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.1 | 7.8 | -5.7 |
| Rape Rate | 20.9 | 46.9 | -26.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.3 | 174.0 | -96.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 249.7 | 248.3 | +1.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,756.9 | 3,656.7 | +100.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 491.0 | 364.4 | +126.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,113.3 | 1,915.7 | +1,197.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 152.5 | 1,376.6 | -1,224.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellingham or Hayward safer?
Bellingham is safer with a total crime rate of 4,108 per 100K vs 4,134 for Hayward — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellingham has a violent crime rate of 351.0 per 100K while Hayward has 477.1. Bellingham has lower violent crime.
About Bellingham, WA
Bellingham, a city of 92,000 nestled between Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains, boasts a thriving arts scene and is home to Western Washington University. Its port city history is evident in its revitalized waterfront. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 95,717, Bellingham has a total crime rate of 4,107.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Hayward, CA
Hayward, a diverse city in Alameda County, sits on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. Home to California State University, East Bay, it was once a major agricultural producer, especially known for its cherries and tomatoes. Its population is over 160,000 residents. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 153,419, Hayward has a total crime rate of 4,133.8 per 100,000 residents.