Is Kelso or Spokane Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kelso is safer than Spokane (Safety Score 36/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100,000 versus 5,518 for Spokane — 61% lower. Kelso has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Kelso has a 66% lower rate.
Note: Spokane is 18.2x 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
Spokane — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kelso, WA
Spokane, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Kelso | Spokane | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,163.2 | 5,518.3 | -3,355.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 229.8 | 677.5 | -447.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.9 | 7.0 | +1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 47.5 | 76.7 | -29.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 87.2 | 145.1 | -57.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 87.2 | 446.1 | -359.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,933.4 | 4,840.8 | -2,907.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 285.3 | 646.5 | -361.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,481.8 | 3,668.8 | -2,187.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 166.4 | 525.4 | -359.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kelso or Spokane safer?
Kelso is safer with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100K vs 5,518 for Spokane — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Kelso has a violent crime rate of 229.8 per 100K while Spokane has 677.5. 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 Spokane, WA
Spokane, the "Lilac City," sits on the Spokane River in Eastern Washington, near the Idaho border. Home to Fairchild Air Force Base, its population is around 229,000. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 229,529, Spokane has a total crime rate of 5,518.3 per 100,000 residents.