Is Indianapolis or Washington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Indianapolis is safer than Washington (Safety Score 7/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 4,214 per 100,000 versus 4,514 for Washington — 7% lower. Indianapolis has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Indianapolis has a 67% lower rate.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Indianapolis, IN?
Indianapolis — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Washington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Indianapolis, IN
Washington, DC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Indianapolis | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,214.4 | 4,513.9 | -299.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 878.3 | 925.9 | -47.6 |
| Murder Rate | 20.0 | 25.5 | -5.5 |
| Rape Rate | 59.2 | 34.0 | +25.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 143.2 | 438.6 | -295.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 655.6 | 427.8 | +227.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,336.1 | 3,588.0 | -252.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 517.9 | 238.0 | +280.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,072.1 | 2,594.5 | -522.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 746.1 | 755.6 | -9.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indianapolis or Washington safer?
Indianapolis is safer with a total crime rate of 4,214 per 100K vs 4,514 for Washington — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Indianapolis has a violent crime rate of 878.3 per 100K while Washington has 925.9. Indianapolis has lower violent crime.
About Indianapolis, IN
About Washington, DC
The Washington Metropolitan Area, encompassing the District of Columbia and parts of surrounding states, is the political heart of the United States. Home to federal institutions and national monuments like the Lincoln Memorial, it has a diverse population exceeding 6 million, with a significant proportion of government employees. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 702,250, Washington has a total crime rate of 4,513.9 per 100,000 residents.