Is Dallas or Waterville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waterville is safer than Dallas (Safety Score 17/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,166 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Dallas — 21% lower. Dallas has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Waterville has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Dallas is 78.3x 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
Waterville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dallas, TX
Waterville, ME
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dallas | Waterville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.3 | 3,166.0 | +846.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 660.5 | 142.3 | +518.2 |
| Murder Rate | 13.6 | 17.8 | -4.2 |
| Rape Rate | 35.9 | 77.1 | -41.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 168.5 | 23.7 | +144.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 440.1 | 23.7 | +416.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,351.9 | 3,023.7 | +328.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 464.1 | 59.3 | +404.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,787.3 | 2,810.2 | -1,022.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,100.5 | 154.2 | +946.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dallas or Waterville safer?
Waterville is safer with a total crime rate of 3,166 per 100K vs 4,012 for Dallas — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dallas has a violent crime rate of 660.5 per 100K while Waterville has 142.3. Waterville 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 Waterville, ME
Waterville, a Kennebec River city, was a major mill town. Colby College, a liberal arts institution, is located here. Its population is around 16,000. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 16,867, Waterville has a total crime rate of 3,166.0 per 100,000 residents.