Is Key West or Miami Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Key West is safer than Miami (Safety Score 26/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 2,612 per 100,000 versus 3,469 for Miami — 25% lower. Key West has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Key West has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Miami is 18.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Key West — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Miami — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Key West, FL
Miami, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Key West | Miami | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,611.7 | 3,468.8 | -857.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 352.3 | 473.7 | -121.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.1 | -6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 23.5 | +29.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 32.4 | 95.4 | -63.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 267.2 | 348.4 | -81.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,259.4 | 2,995.1 | -735.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 214.6 | 294.3 | -79.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,988.1 | 2,290.4 | -302.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 56.7 | 410.3 | -353.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Key West or Miami safer?
Key West is safer with a total crime rate of 2,612 per 100K vs 3,469 for Miami — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Key West has a violent crime rate of 352.3 per 100K while Miami has 473.7. Key West has lower violent crime.
About Key West, FL
Key West, a remote island city, is the southernmost point in the continental U.S. and home to Ernest Hemingway's former residence. Its transient population often includes a mix of tourists and long-term residents. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 24,697, Key West has a total crime rate of 2,611.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Miami, FL
Miami, a vibrant South Florida metropolis, thrives as a major port city with a large Cuban-American population. Its unique blend of Caribbean and Latin American influences, evident in its art and music, is shaped by its subtropical climate and coastal location. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 460,392, Miami has a total crime rate of 3,468.8 per 100,000 residents.