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Erie, PA vs Pittsburgh, PA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Erie crime rate · Pittsburgh crime rate

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Is Erie, PA or Pittsburgh, PA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Erie, PA is safer than Pittsburgh, PA (Safety Score 33/100 vs 24/100), with a total crime rate of 2,305 per 100,000 versus 2,709 for Pittsburgh, PA — 15% lower. Erie has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Erie has a 52% lower rate.

Note: Pittsburgh is 3.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Erie, PA?

Erie — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Flat Property Flat Total

Pittsburgh — 4-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Flat Total

Erie, PA

Erie, PA
Safety Score 33/100
Coverage 92,379
Total Crime Rate 2,304.6
Category Wins 7/7

Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh, PA
Safety Score 24/100
Coverage 317,177
Total Crime Rate 2,708.6
Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Erie Pittsburgh Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,304.6 2,708.6 -403.9
Violent Crime Rate 375.6 428.5 -52.8
Murder Rate 5.4 11.4 -5.9
Rape Rate 41.1 51.7 -10.6
Robbery Rate 67.1 124.2 -57.1
Aggravated Assault Rate 262.0 239.9 +22.0
Property Crime Rate 1,929.0 2,280.1 -351.1
Burglary Rate 194.9 232.7 -37.8
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,645.4 1,704.4 -59.0
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 88.8 343.0 -254.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Erie, PA to Pittsburgh, PA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Erie or Pittsburgh safer?

Erie, PA is safer with a total crime rate of 2,305 per 100K vs 2,709 for Pittsburgh, PA — a 15% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Erie has a violent crime rate of 375.6 per 100K while Pittsburgh has 428.5. Erie has lower violent crime.

About Erie, PA

Erie, a Rust Belt city on Lake Erie's southern shore, is home to the historic Presque Isle State Park. Its economy historically revolved around manufacturing and shipping. With a safety score of 33/100 and a population coverage of 92,379, Erie has a total crime rate of 2,304.6 per 100,000 residents.

About Pittsburgh, PA

Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains where three rivers meet, Pittsburgh is a city of bridges and former steel mills. Its rich industrial past shaped its distinct neighborhoods and resilient, diverse population. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 317,177, Pittsburgh has a total crime rate of 2,708.6 per 100,000 residents.

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