Is Fort Worth or Santa Barbara Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Barbara is safer than Fort Worth (Safety Score 29/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,459 per 100,000 versus 3,158 for Fort Worth — 22% lower. Fort Worth has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Barbara has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Fort Worth is 11.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fort Worth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Barbara — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Worth, TX
Santa Barbara, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Worth | Santa Barbara | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,158.5 | 2,459.3 | +699.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 458.7 | 649.5 | -190.8 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 0.0 | +7.4 |
| Rape Rate | 55.2 | 82.8 | -27.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 72.6 | 74.6 | -2.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 323.1 | 490.9 | -167.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,699.8 | 1,809.7 | +890.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 344.6 | 170.3 | +174.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,841.9 | 1,441.3 | +400.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 513.4 | 198.2 | +315.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Worth or Santa Barbara safer?
Santa Barbara is safer with a total crime rate of 2,459 per 100K vs 3,158 for Fort Worth — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Worth has a violent crime rate of 458.7 per 100K while Santa Barbara has 649.5. Fort Worth has lower violent crime.
About Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth, a city where the West begins, boasts a rich cattle drive history evident in the Stockyards National Historic District. Located in North Central Texas, it's a populous city within the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 997,476, Fort Worth has a total crime rate of 3,158.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Santa Barbara, CA
Nestled between the Pacific and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara boasts Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and a Mediterranean climate. This affluent coastal city, home to UCSB, attracts tourists and residents alike with its scenic beauty. With a safety score of 29/100 and a population coverage of 85,758, Santa Barbara has a total crime rate of 2,459.3 per 100,000 residents.