Is Burien or Tacoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Burien is safer than Tacoma (Safety Score 10/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,820 per 100,000 versus 6,667 for Tacoma — 43% lower. Burien has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Burien has a 60% lower rate.
Note: Tacoma is 4.5x 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
Tacoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Burien, WA
Tacoma, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Burien | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,819.7 | 6,666.7 | -2,847.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 425.3 | 1,063.0 | -637.7 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 9.8 | -5.9 |
| Rape Rate | 65.6 | 67.9 | -2.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 163.0 | 184.4 | -21.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 192.8 | 801.0 | -608.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,394.4 | 5,603.6 | -2,209.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 576.3 | 669.7 | -93.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,752.9 | 3,521.3 | -1,768.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,065.2 | 1,412.6 | -347.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burien or Tacoma safer?
Burien is safer with a total crime rate of 3,820 per 100K vs 6,667 for Tacoma — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Burien has a violent crime rate of 425.3 per 100K while Tacoma has 1,063.0. 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 Tacoma, WA
Tacoma, nestled on Commencement Bay, boasts a rich industrial past, once a major port for timber and rail. Today, this diverse city, home to over 200,000 residents, features a vibrant arts scene and stunning views of Mount Rainier. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 223,980, Tacoma has a total crime rate of 6,666.7 per 100,000 residents.