Is Federal Way or Tacoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Federal Way is safer than Tacoma (Safety Score 4/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,918 per 100,000 versus 6,667 for Tacoma — 26% lower. Federal Way has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Federal Way has a 49% lower rate.
Note: Tacoma is 2.3x 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
Tacoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Federal Way, WA
Tacoma, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Federal Way | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,917.7 | 6,666.7 | -1,749.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 545.4 | 1,063.0 | -517.7 |
| Murder Rate | 5.2 | 9.8 | -4.7 |
| Rape Rate | 51.7 | 67.9 | -16.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 150.1 | 184.4 | -34.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 338.4 | 801.0 | -462.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,372.3 | 5,603.6 | -1,231.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 573.3 | 669.7 | -96.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,655.5 | 3,521.3 | -865.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,143.5 | 1,412.6 | -269.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Federal Way or Tacoma safer?
Federal Way is safer with a total crime rate of 4,918 per 100K vs 6,667 for Tacoma — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Federal Way has a violent crime rate of 545.4 per 100K while Tacoma has 1,063.0. 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 Tacoma, WA
Tacoma, nestled on Commencement Bay, boasts a rich industrial past, once a major port for timber and rail. Today, this diverse city, home to over 200,000 residents, features a vibrant arts scene and stunning views of Mount Rainier. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 223,980, Tacoma has a total crime rate of 6,666.7 per 100,000 residents.