Is Bellingham or Tacoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Bellingham is safer than Tacoma (Safety Score 8/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,108 per 100,000 versus 6,667 for Tacoma — 38% lower. Bellingham has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellingham has a 79% lower rate.
Note: Tacoma is 2.3x 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
Tacoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellingham, WA
Tacoma, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellingham | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,107.9 | 6,666.7 | -2,558.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 351.0 | 1,063.0 | -712.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.1 | 9.8 | -7.7 |
| Rape Rate | 20.9 | 67.9 | -47.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.3 | 184.4 | -107.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 249.7 | 801.0 | -551.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,756.9 | 5,603.6 | -1,846.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 491.0 | 669.7 | -178.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,113.3 | 3,521.3 | -408.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 152.5 | 1,412.6 | -1,260.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellingham or Tacoma safer?
Bellingham is safer with a total crime rate of 4,108 per 100K vs 6,667 for Tacoma — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellingham has a violent crime rate of 351.0 per 100K while Tacoma has 1,063.0. 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 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.