Is Dover or Philadelphia Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Philadelphia is safer than Dover (Safety Score 3/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 5,458 per 100,000 versus 7,082 for Dover — 23% lower. Dover has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Dover has a 58% lower rate.
Note: Philadelphia is 38.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dover — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Philadelphia — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dover, DE
Philadelphia, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dover | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 7,082.1 | 5,458.5 | +1,623.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,012.8 | 910.3 | +102.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 16.9 | +0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 39.9 | 46.1 | -6.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 114.8 | 273.2 | -158.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 840.7 | 572.5 | +268.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 6,069.3 | 4,548.2 | +1,521.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 139.7 | 319.0 | -179.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 5,572.9 | 3,223.6 | +2,349.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 356.7 | 1,005.6 | -648.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dover or Philadelphia safer?
Philadelphia is safer with a total crime rate of 5,458 per 100K vs 7,082 for Dover — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dover has a violent crime rate of 1,012.8 per 100K while Philadelphia has 910.3. Philadelphia has lower violent crime.
About Dover, DE
Dover, Delaware, the state capital, is a small city on the St. Jones River. Home to Dover International Speedway, it's the second-largest city in Delaware with a population just under 40,000. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 40,087, Dover has a total crime rate of 7,082.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, is Pennsylvania's largest city. Situated along the Delaware River, its diverse population contributes to a rich urban tapestry. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,549,259, Philadelphia has a total crime rate of 5,458.5 per 100,000 residents.