Is Ellensburg or Spokane Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ellensburg is safer than Spokane (Safety Score 30/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,409 per 100,000 versus 5,518 for Spokane — 56% lower. Ellensburg has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ellensburg has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Spokane is 12.4x 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
Spokane — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ellensburg, WA
Spokane, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ellensburg | Spokane | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,409.1 | 5,518.3 | -3,109.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 227.4 | 677.5 | -450.1 |
| Murder Rate | 5.4 | 7.0 | -1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 92.0 | 76.7 | +15.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 21.7 | 145.1 | -123.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 108.3 | 446.1 | -337.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,181.7 | 4,840.8 | -2,659.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 243.6 | 646.5 | -402.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,856.9 | 3,668.8 | -1,812.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 81.2 | 525.4 | -444.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ellensburg or Spokane safer?
Ellensburg is safer with a total crime rate of 2,409 per 100K vs 5,518 for Spokane — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ellensburg has a violent crime rate of 227.4 per 100K while Spokane has 677.5. 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 Spokane, WA
Spokane, the "Lilac City," sits on the Spokane River in Eastern Washington, near the Idaho border. Home to Fairchild Air Force Base, its population is around 229,000. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 229,529, Spokane has a total crime rate of 5,518.3 per 100,000 residents.