Is Bowie or Santa Barbara Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Barbara is safer than Bowie (Safety Score 29/100 vs 29/100), with a total crime rate of 2,459 per 100,000 versus 2,473 for Bowie — 1% lower. Bowie has higher rates in 3 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Bowie has a 70% lower rate.
Bowie — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Barbara — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bowie, MD
Santa Barbara, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bowie | Santa Barbara | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,473.3 | 2,459.3 | +14.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 193.2 | 649.5 | -456.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 35.1 | 82.8 | -47.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 58.0 | 74.6 | -16.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 100.1 | 490.9 | -390.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,280.0 | 1,809.7 | +470.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 138.8 | 170.3 | -31.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,761.8 | 1,441.3 | +320.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.4 | 198.2 | +181.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bowie or Santa Barbara safer?
Santa Barbara is safer with a total crime rate of 2,459 per 100K vs 2,473 for Bowie — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bowie has a violent crime rate of 193.2 per 100K while Santa Barbara has 649.5. 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 Santa Barbara, CA
Nestled between the Pacific and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara boasts Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and a Mediterranean climate. This affluent coastal city, home to UCSB, attracts tourists and residents alike with its scenic beauty. With a safety score of 29/100 and a population coverage of 85,758, Santa Barbara has a total crime rate of 2,459.3 per 100,000 residents.