Is Bellingham or Independence Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Independence is safer than Bellingham (Safety Score 8/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 4,096 per 100,000 versus 4,108 for Bellingham — 0% lower. Bellingham has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellingham has a 77% lower rate.
Bellingham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Independence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellingham, WA
Independence, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellingham | Independence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,107.9 | 4,095.8 | +12.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 351.0 | 572.0 | -221.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.1 | 9.2 | -7.1 |
| Rape Rate | 20.9 | 89.8 | -68.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.3 | 75.7 | +1.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 249.7 | 396.6 | -146.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,756.9 | 3,523.7 | +233.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 491.0 | 407.4 | +83.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,113.3 | 2,301.5 | +811.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 152.5 | 814.8 | -662.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellingham or Independence safer?
Independence is safer with a total crime rate of 4,096 per 100K vs 4,108 for Bellingham — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellingham has a violent crime rate of 351.0 per 100K while Independence has 572.0. 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 Independence, MO
Independence, Missouri, a city of about 120,000 residents, is historically significant as the starting point of the Oregon, Santa Fe, and California Trails. Located just east of Kansas City, it's a prominent suburb with a rich past. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 120,271, Independence has a total crime rate of 4,095.8 per 100,000 residents.