Is Ferndale or Tacoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ferndale is safer than Tacoma (Safety Score 49/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100,000 versus 6,667 for Tacoma — 74% lower. Ferndale has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ferndale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Tacoma is 13.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ferndale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tacoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ferndale, WA
Tacoma, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ferndale | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,706.3 | 6,666.7 | -4,960.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 104.3 | 1,063.0 | -958.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 9.8 | -9.8 |
| Rape Rate | 24.6 | 67.9 | -43.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 12.3 | 184.4 | -172.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 67.5 | 801.0 | -733.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,601.9 | 5,603.6 | -4,001.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 233.2 | 669.7 | -436.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,295.0 | 3,521.3 | -2,226.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 73.7 | 1,412.6 | -1,339.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ferndale or Tacoma safer?
Ferndale is safer with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100K vs 6,667 for Tacoma — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ferndale has a violent crime rate of 104.3 per 100K while Tacoma has 1,063.0. Ferndale has lower violent crime.
About Ferndale, WA
Nestled on the Nooksack River, Ferndale, WA is a town of over 13,000 residents, known for its historic Pioneer Park. The town's early economy was driven by timber and agriculture. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 16,293, Ferndale has a total crime rate of 1,706.3 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.