Is Bowie or Philadelphia Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bowie is safer than Philadelphia (Safety Score 29/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,473 per 100,000 versus 5,458 for Philadelphia — 55% lower. Bowie has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bowie has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Philadelphia is 27.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bowie — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Philadelphia — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bowie, MD
Philadelphia, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bowie | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,473.3 | 5,458.5 | -2,985.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 193.2 | 910.3 | -717.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 16.9 | -16.9 |
| Rape Rate | 35.1 | 46.1 | -11.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 58.0 | 273.2 | -215.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 100.1 | 572.5 | -472.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,280.0 | 4,548.2 | -2,268.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 138.8 | 319.0 | -180.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,761.8 | 3,223.6 | -1,461.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.4 | 1,005.6 | -626.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bowie or Philadelphia safer?
Bowie is safer with a total crime rate of 2,473 per 100K vs 5,458 for Philadelphia — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bowie has a violent crime rate of 193.2 per 100K while Philadelphia has 910.3. 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 Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, is Pennsylvania's largest city. Situated along the Delaware River, its diverse population contributes to a rich urban tapestry. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,549,259, Philadelphia has a total crime rate of 5,458.5 per 100,000 residents.