Is Centralia or Tacoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Centralia is safer than Tacoma (Safety Score 19/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,008 per 100,000 versus 6,667 for Tacoma — 55% lower. Centralia has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Centralia has a 75% lower rate.
Note: Tacoma is 11.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Centralia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tacoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Centralia, WA
Tacoma, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Centralia | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,007.6 | 6,666.7 | -3,659.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 269.6 | 1,063.0 | -793.5 |
| Murder Rate | 5.3 | 9.8 | -4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 74.0 | 67.9 | +6.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 58.1 | 184.4 | -126.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 132.1 | 801.0 | -668.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,738.0 | 5,603.6 | -2,865.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 396.4 | 669.7 | -273.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,172.4 | 3,521.3 | -1,348.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 169.1 | 1,412.6 | -1,243.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Centralia or Tacoma safer?
Centralia is safer with a total crime rate of 3,008 per 100K vs 6,667 for Tacoma — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Centralia has a violent crime rate of 269.6 per 100K while Tacoma has 1,063.0. Centralia has lower violent crime.
About Centralia, WA
Centralia, Washington, a town with a rich logging heritage, lies in the Chehalis River Valley. Its population, predominantly white, has seen gradual growth since its founding. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 18,919, Centralia has a total crime rate of 3,007.6 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.