Is Kelso or Seattle Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kelso is safer than Seattle (Safety Score 36/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100,000 versus 5,783 for Seattle — 63% lower. Kelso has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Kelso has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Seattle is 60.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Kelso — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Seattle — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kelso, WA
Seattle, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Kelso | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,163.2 | 5,783.1 | -3,619.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 229.8 | 775.5 | -545.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.9 | 6.8 | +1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 47.5 | 46.3 | +1.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 87.2 | 220.6 | -133.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 87.2 | 501.3 | -414.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,933.4 | 5,007.6 | -3,074.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 285.3 | 1,152.0 | -866.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,481.8 | 2,882.0 | -1,400.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 166.4 | 973.6 | -807.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kelso or Seattle safer?
Kelso is safer with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100K vs 5,783 for Seattle — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Kelso has a violent crime rate of 229.8 per 100K while Seattle has 775.5. Kelso has lower violent crime.
About Kelso, WA
Kelso, Washington, a Cowlitz River city founded by Peter Crawford, is known as the "Smelt Capital of the World." Situated in Cowlitz County, it shares a border with Longview, and its population was 12,969 as of the 2020 census. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 12,620, Kelso has a total crime rate of 2,163.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Seattle, WA
Seattle, a major port city in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its vibrant music scene, particularly grunge, which emerged here. Situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it’s home to a diverse population with a strong tech industry presence. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 760,058, Seattle has a total crime rate of 5,783.1 per 100,000 residents.