Is Bellingham or Seattle Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Bellingham is safer than Seattle (Safety Score 8/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,108 per 100,000 versus 5,783 for Seattle — 29% lower. Bellingham has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellingham has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Seattle is 7.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Bellingham, WA?
Bellingham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Seattle — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellingham, WA
Seattle, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellingham | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,107.9 | 5,783.1 | -1,675.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 351.0 | 775.5 | -424.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.1 | 6.8 | -4.8 |
| Rape Rate | 20.9 | 46.3 | -25.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.3 | 220.6 | -143.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 249.7 | 501.3 | -251.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,756.9 | 5,007.6 | -1,250.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 491.0 | 1,152.0 | -661.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,113.3 | 2,882.0 | +231.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 152.5 | 973.6 | -821.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellingham or Seattle safer?
Bellingham is safer with a total crime rate of 4,108 per 100K vs 5,783 for Seattle — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellingham has a violent crime rate of 351.0 per 100K while Seattle has 775.5. 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 Seattle, WA
Seattle, a major port city in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its vibrant music scene, particularly grunge, which emerged here. Situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it’s home to a diverse population with a strong tech industry presence. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 760,058, Seattle has a total crime rate of 5,783.1 per 100,000 residents.