Is Bellingham or Spokane Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Bellingham is safer than Spokane (Safety Score 8/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,108 per 100,000 versus 5,518 for Spokane — 26% lower. Bellingham has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellingham has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Spokane is 2.4x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Bellingham, WA?
Bellingham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Spokane — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellingham, WA
Spokane, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellingham | Spokane | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,107.9 | 5,518.3 | -1,410.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 351.0 | 677.5 | -326.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.1 | 7.0 | -4.9 |
| Rape Rate | 20.9 | 76.7 | -55.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.3 | 145.1 | -67.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 249.7 | 446.1 | -196.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,756.9 | 4,840.8 | -1,083.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 491.0 | 646.5 | -155.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,113.3 | 3,668.8 | -555.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 152.5 | 525.4 | -372.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellingham or Spokane safer?
Bellingham is safer with a total crime rate of 4,108 per 100K vs 5,518 for Spokane — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellingham has a violent crime rate of 351.0 per 100K while Spokane has 677.5. 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 Spokane, WA
Spokane, the "Lilac City," sits on the Spokane River in Eastern Washington, near the Idaho border. Home to Fairchild Air Force Base, its population is around 229,000. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 229,529, Spokane has a total crime rate of 5,518.3 per 100,000 residents.