Is Burien or Seattle Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Burien is safer than Seattle (Safety Score 10/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,820 per 100,000 versus 5,783 for Seattle — 34% lower. Burien has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Burien has a 45% lower rate.
Note: Seattle is 15.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Burien — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Seattle — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Burien, WA
Seattle, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Burien | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,819.7 | 5,783.1 | -1,963.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 425.3 | 775.5 | -350.2 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 6.8 | -2.9 |
| Rape Rate | 65.6 | 46.3 | +19.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 163.0 | 220.6 | -57.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 192.8 | 501.3 | -308.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,394.4 | 5,007.6 | -1,613.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 576.3 | 1,152.0 | -575.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,752.9 | 2,882.0 | -1,129.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,065.2 | 973.6 | +91.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burien or Seattle safer?
Burien is safer with a total crime rate of 3,820 per 100K vs 5,783 for Seattle — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Burien has a violent crime rate of 425.3 per 100K while Seattle has 775.5. Burien has lower violent crime.
About Burien, WA
Burien, a Puget Sound city, was once nicknamed "Booburb" for its growth. It's home to a diverse population, with a significant Hispanic community, and offers views of the Olympic Mountains. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 50,318, Burien has a total crime rate of 3,819.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Seattle, WA
Seattle, a major port city in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its vibrant music scene, particularly grunge, which emerged here. Situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it’s home to a diverse population with a strong tech industry presence. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 760,058, Seattle has a total crime rate of 5,783.1 per 100,000 residents.