Is Gaithersburg or Greenbelt Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gaithersburg is safer than Greenbelt (Safety Score 54/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 1,565 per 100,000 versus 5,026 for Greenbelt — 69% lower. Gaithersburg has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Greenbelt has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Gaithersburg is 2.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gaithersburg — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Greenbelt — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gaithersburg, MD
Greenbelt, MD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gaithersburg | Greenbelt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,564.9 | 5,026.3 | -3,461.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 252.9 | 649.0 | -396.0 |
| Murder Rate | 1.4 | 0.0 | +1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 28.7 | 41.3 | -12.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.7 | 326.5 | -261.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 158.1 | 281.1 | -123.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,312.0 | 4,377.3 | -3,065.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 150.9 | 148.8 | +2.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,023.1 | 3,170.3 | -2,147.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 138.0 | 1,058.2 | -920.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gaithersburg or Greenbelt safer?
Gaithersburg is safer with a total crime rate of 1,565 per 100K vs 5,026 for Greenbelt — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gaithersburg has a violent crime rate of 252.9 per 100K while Greenbelt has 649.0. Gaithersburg has lower violent crime.
About Gaithersburg, MD
Gaithersburg, a diverse city in Montgomery County, boasts a rich agricultural past, evidenced by its annual county fair. Situated along the I-270 technology corridor, it's a bustling hub with a significant immigrant population. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 69,590, Gaithersburg has a total crime rate of 1,564.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Greenbelt, MD
Greenbelt, Maryland, is a historic New Deal planned community in Prince George's County, known for its cooperative housing. Situated near Washington D.C., it's a diverse suburban area with a significant federal employee population. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 24,193, Greenbelt has a total crime rate of 5,026.3 per 100,000 residents.