Is Cocoa or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, St. Petersburg is safer than Cocoa (Safety Score 18/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100,000 versus 4,636 for Cocoa — 34% lower. Cocoa has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where St. Petersburg has a 55% lower rate.
Note: St. Petersburg is 13.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cocoa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cocoa, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cocoa | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,635.5 | 3,080.8 | +1,554.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,082.3 | 621.9 | +460.4 |
| Murder Rate | 4.9 | 6.8 | -1.9 |
| Rape Rate | 54.4 | 43.4 | +11.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 182.9 | 81.5 | +101.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 840.1 | 487.9 | +352.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,553.3 | 2,458.9 | +1,094.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 395.4 | 209.4 | +185.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,064.0 | 2,029.8 | +1,034.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 93.9 | 219.6 | -125.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cocoa or St. Petersburg safer?
St. Petersburg is safer with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100K vs 4,636 for Cocoa — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cocoa has a violent crime rate of 1,082.3 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. St. Petersburg has lower violent crime.
About Cocoa, FL
Cocoa, Florida, a city along the Indian River Lagoon, served as a vital port for citrus and lumber in the late 19th century. Its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Kennedy Space Center shaped its growth and transient population. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 20,235, Cocoa has a total crime rate of 4,635.5 per 100,000 residents.
About St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg, Florida, known as the "Sunshine City," boasts a vibrant arts scene and beautiful waterfront parks along Tampa Bay. It is part of the Tampa Bay Area, a major metropolitan region on Florida's Gulf Coast. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 264,999, St. Petersburg has a total crime rate of 3,080.8 per 100,000 residents.