Is Delray Beach or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Delray Beach is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 19/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 3,055 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 1% lower. Delray Beach has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Delray Beach has a 57% lower rate.
Note: St. Petersburg is 3.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Delray Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Delray Beach, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Delray Beach | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,055.5 | 3,080.8 | -25.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 424.9 | 621.9 | -197.0 |
| Murder Rate | 3.0 | 6.8 | -3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 39.8 | 43.4 | -3.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 54.6 | 81.5 | -26.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 324.6 | 487.9 | -163.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,630.6 | 2,458.9 | +171.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 172.6 | 209.4 | -36.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,273.5 | 2,029.8 | +243.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 184.4 | 219.6 | -35.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delray Beach or St. Petersburg safer?
Delray Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 3,055 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Delray Beach has a violent crime rate of 424.9 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. Delray Beach has lower violent crime.
About Delray Beach, FL
Delray Beach, a vibrant coastal city in Palm Beach County, boasts a rich arts scene, including the historic Pineapple Grove Arts District. Its population of over 69,000 residents enjoys a prime location along the Atlantic Ocean. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 67,780, Delray Beach has a total crime rate of 3,055.5 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.