Is Gainesville or Miami Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Gainesville is safer than Miami (Safety Score 14/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 3,448 per 100,000 versus 3,469 for Miami — 1% lower. Gainesville has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Miami has a 36% lower rate.
Note: Miami is 3.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gainesville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Miami — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gainesville, FL
Miami, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gainesville | Miami | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,447.8 | 3,468.8 | -21.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 744.1 | 473.7 | +270.4 |
| Murder Rate | 4.8 | 6.1 | -1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 85.7 | 23.5 | +62.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 133.3 | 95.4 | +38.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 514.2 | 348.4 | +165.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,703.7 | 2,995.1 | -291.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 307.4 | 294.3 | +13.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,292.9 | 2,290.4 | +2.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 103.4 | 410.3 | -306.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gainesville or Miami safer?
Gainesville is safer with a total crime rate of 3,448 per 100K vs 3,469 for Miami — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gainesville has a violent crime rate of 744.1 per 100K while Miami has 473.7. Miami has lower violent crime.
About Gainesville, FL
Gainesville, home to the University of Florida, is a central North Florida city. Its humid subtropical climate supports a diverse population of over 140,000 residents. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 147,022, Gainesville has a total crime rate of 3,447.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Miami, FL
Miami, a vibrant South Florida metropolis, thrives as a major port city with a large Cuban-American population. Its unique blend of Caribbean and Latin American influences, evident in its art and music, is shaped by its subtropical climate and coastal location. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 460,392, Miami has a total crime rate of 3,468.8 per 100,000 residents.