Is Dallas or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, St. Petersburg is safer than Dallas (Safety Score 18/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Dallas — 23% lower. Dallas has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where St. Petersburg has a 52% lower rate.
Note: Dallas is 5.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dallas — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dallas, TX
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dallas | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.3 | 3,080.8 | +931.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 660.5 | 621.9 | +38.6 |
| Murder Rate | 13.6 | 6.8 | +6.8 |
| Rape Rate | 35.9 | 43.4 | -7.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 168.5 | 81.5 | +87.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 440.1 | 487.9 | -47.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,351.9 | 2,458.9 | +893.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 464.1 | 209.4 | +254.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,787.3 | 2,029.8 | -242.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,100.5 | 219.6 | +880.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dallas or St. Petersburg safer?
St. Petersburg is safer with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100K vs 4,012 for Dallas — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dallas has a violent crime rate of 660.5 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. St. Petersburg has lower violent crime.
About Dallas, TX
Dallas, a major hub in North Texas, is known for its historic role in the oil industry and its sprawling urban landscape. The city boasts a diverse population exceeding 1.3 million within its city limits. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 1,321,500, Dallas has a total crime rate of 4,012.3 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.