Is Gainesville or Tampa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Tampa is safer than Gainesville (Safety Score 43/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 1,913 per 100,000 versus 3,448 for Gainesville — 45% lower. Gainesville has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Tampa has a 56% lower rate.
Note: Tampa is 2.8x 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
Tampa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gainesville, FL
Tampa, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gainesville | Tampa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,447.8 | 1,912.7 | +1,535.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 744.1 | 447.3 | +296.8 |
| Murder Rate | 4.8 | 8.8 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 85.7 | 41.9 | +43.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 133.3 | 59.0 | +74.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 514.2 | 335.0 | +179.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,703.7 | 1,465.3 | +1,238.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 307.4 | 167.4 | +140.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,292.9 | 1,154.5 | +1,138.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 103.4 | 143.4 | -40.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gainesville or Tampa safer?
Tampa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,913 per 100K vs 3,448 for Gainesville — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gainesville has a violent crime rate of 744.1 per 100K while Tampa has 447.3. Tampa 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 Tampa, FL
Tampa, a Gulf Coast city, boasts a rich Cuban heritage from its cigar industry days. It's a diverse port city situated on Tampa Bay, with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 408,646, Tampa has a total crime rate of 1,912.7 per 100,000 residents.