Is Key West or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Key West is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 26/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,612 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 15% lower. Key West has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Key West has a 100% lower rate.
Note: St. Petersburg is 10.7x 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
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Key West, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Key West | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,611.7 | 3,080.8 | -469.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 352.3 | 621.9 | -269.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.8 | -6.8 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 43.4 | +9.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 32.4 | 81.5 | -49.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 267.2 | 487.9 | -220.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,259.4 | 2,458.9 | -199.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 214.6 | 209.4 | +5.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,988.1 | 2,029.8 | -41.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 56.7 | 219.6 | -162.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Key West or St. Petersburg safer?
Key West is safer with a total crime rate of 2,612 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Key West has a violent crime rate of 352.3 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. 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 St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg, Florida, known as the "Sunshine City," boasts a vibrant arts scene and beautiful waterfront parks along Tampa Bay. It is part of the Tampa Bay Area, a major metropolitan region on Florida's Gulf Coast. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 264,999, St. Petersburg has a total crime rate of 3,080.8 per 100,000 residents.