Is Bowie or Gaithersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gaithersburg is safer than Bowie (Safety Score 54/100 vs 29/100), with a total crime rate of 1,565 per 100,000 versus 2,473 for Bowie — 37% lower. Bowie has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bowie has a 100% lower rate.
Bowie — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gaithersburg — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bowie, MD
Gaithersburg, MD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bowie | Gaithersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,473.3 | 1,564.9 | +908.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 193.2 | 252.9 | -59.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 1.4 | -1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 35.1 | 28.7 | +6.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 58.0 | 64.7 | -6.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 100.1 | 158.1 | -58.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,280.0 | 1,312.0 | +968.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 138.8 | 150.9 | -12.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,761.8 | 1,023.1 | +738.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.4 | 138.0 | +241.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bowie or Gaithersburg safer?
Gaithersburg is safer with a total crime rate of 1,565 per 100K vs 2,473 for Bowie — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bowie has a violent crime rate of 193.2 per 100K while Gaithersburg has 252.9. Bowie has lower violent crime.
About Bowie, MD
Bowie, Maryland, a Prince George's County suburb, was originally a railroad stop called Huntington. It's home to Bowie State University, one of the nation's oldest Historically Black colleges. With a safety score of 29/100 and a population coverage of 56,929, Bowie has a total crime rate of 2,473.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Gaithersburg, MD
Gaithersburg, a diverse city in Montgomery County, boasts a rich agricultural past, evidenced by its annual county fair. Situated along the I-270 technology corridor, it's a bustling hub with a significant immigrant population. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 69,590, Gaithersburg has a total crime rate of 1,564.9 per 100,000 residents.