Is Boca Raton or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Boca Raton is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 45/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,848 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 40% lower. Boca Raton has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Boca Raton has a 72% lower rate.
Note: St. Petersburg is 2.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Boca Raton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boca Raton, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boca Raton | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,847.7 | 3,080.8 | -1,233.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 171.1 | 621.9 | -450.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 6.8 | -4.8 |
| Rape Rate | 35.8 | 43.4 | -7.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.8 | 81.5 | -47.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 99.5 | 487.9 | -388.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,676.7 | 2,458.9 | -782.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 155.1 | 209.4 | -54.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,421.1 | 2,029.8 | -608.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 100.4 | 219.6 | -119.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boca Raton or St. Petersburg safer?
Boca Raton is safer with a total crime rate of 1,848 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boca Raton has a violent crime rate of 171.1 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. Boca Raton has lower violent crime.
About Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton, a planned community in Palm Beach County, is known for its Mizner-esque architecture and affluent residents. Situated along Florida's southeastern coast, it's a a popular haven for retirees. With a safety score of 45/100 and a population coverage of 100,557, Boca Raton has a total crime rate of 1,847.7 per 100,000 residents.
About St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg, Florida, known as the "Sunshine City," boasts a vibrant arts scene and beautiful waterfront parks along Tampa Bay. It is part of the Tampa Bay Area, a major metropolitan region on Florida's Gulf Coast. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 264,999, St. Petersburg has a total crime rate of 3,080.8 per 100,000 residents.