Is Ellensburg or Seattle Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ellensburg is safer than Seattle (Safety Score 30/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,409 per 100,000 versus 5,783 for Seattle — 58% lower. Ellensburg has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ellensburg has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Seattle is 41.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ellensburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Seattle — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ellensburg, WA
Seattle, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ellensburg | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,409.1 | 5,783.1 | -3,374.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 227.4 | 775.5 | -548.1 |
| Murder Rate | 5.4 | 6.8 | -1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 92.0 | 46.3 | +45.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 21.7 | 220.6 | -199.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 108.3 | 501.3 | -393.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,181.7 | 5,007.6 | -2,826.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 243.6 | 1,152.0 | -908.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,856.9 | 2,882.0 | -1,025.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 81.2 | 973.6 | -892.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ellensburg or Seattle safer?
Ellensburg is safer with a total crime rate of 2,409 per 100K vs 5,783 for Seattle — a 58% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ellensburg has a violent crime rate of 227.4 per 100K while Seattle has 775.5. Ellensburg has lower violent crime.
About Ellensburg, WA
Ellensburg, a Kittitas Valley city, is home to Central Washington University and a rich rodeo tradition. Its location east of the Cascade Mountains contributes to its drier climate and agricultural roots, with a population around 20,000. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 18,472, Ellensburg has a total crime rate of 2,409.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Seattle, WA
Seattle, a major port city in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its vibrant music scene, particularly grunge, which emerged here. Situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it’s home to a diverse population with a strong tech industry presence. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 760,058, Seattle has a total crime rate of 5,783.1 per 100,000 residents.