Is Federal Way or Seattle Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Federal Way is safer than Seattle (Safety Score 4/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,918 per 100,000 versus 5,783 for Seattle — 15% lower. Federal Way has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Federal Way has a 32% lower rate.
Note: Seattle is 7.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Federal Way — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Seattle — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Federal Way, WA
Seattle, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Federal Way | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,917.7 | 5,783.1 | -865.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 545.4 | 775.5 | -230.1 |
| Murder Rate | 5.2 | 6.8 | -1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 51.7 | 46.3 | +5.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 150.1 | 220.6 | -70.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 338.4 | 501.3 | -162.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,372.3 | 5,007.6 | -635.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 573.3 | 1,152.0 | -578.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,655.5 | 2,882.0 | -226.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,143.5 | 973.6 | +169.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Federal Way or Seattle safer?
Federal Way is safer with a total crime rate of 4,918 per 100K vs 5,783 for Seattle — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Federal Way has a violent crime rate of 545.4 per 100K while Seattle has 775.5. Federal Way has lower violent crime.
About Federal Way, WA
Federal Way, a Puget Sound city, was once home to extensive timber operations. This diverse community, part of King County, is now a bustling suburban hub with a significant Asian population. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 96,631, Federal Way has a total crime rate of 4,917.7 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.