Is Bethlehem or Watsonville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bethlehem is safer than Watsonville (Safety Score 54/100 vs 53/100), with a total crime rate of 1,576 per 100,000 versus 1,581 for Watsonville — 0% lower. Bethlehem has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Watsonville has a 100% lower rate.
Bethlehem — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Watsonville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bethlehem, PA
Watsonville, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bethlehem | Watsonville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,575.9 | 1,581.3 | -5.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 207.1 | 399.3 | -192.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 40.4 | 55.6 | -15.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 27.8 | 53.6 | -25.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 135.1 | 290.0 | -154.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,368.8 | 1,182.0 | +186.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 84.6 | 139.1 | -54.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,150.3 | 744.9 | +405.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 133.9 | 298.0 | -164.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bethlehem or Watsonville safer?
Bethlehem is safer with a total crime rate of 1,576 per 100K vs 1,581 for Watsonville — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bethlehem has a violent crime rate of 207.1 per 100K while Watsonville has 399.3. Bethlehem has lower violent crime.
About Bethlehem, PA
Bethlehem, PA, known as "The Christmas City" for its annual celebrations, is a city in the Lehigh Valley. Once a major industrial hub for Bethlehem Steel, it now has a diverse economy and a population of over 75,000. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 79,194, Bethlehem has a total crime rate of 1,575.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Watsonville, CA
Watsonville, nestled in the Pajaro Valley, is an agricultural hub known for its berries and apples. This predominantly Hispanic city, home to a historic Japanese community, thrives on its rich agricultural heritage. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 50,340, Watsonville has a total crime rate of 1,581.3 per 100,000 residents.