Is Lake City or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake City is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 99/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 221 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 93% lower. Lake City has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: St. Petersburg is 20.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake City, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake City | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 220.6 | 3,080.8 | -2,860.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 15.8 | 621.9 | -606.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.8 | -6.8 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 43.4 | -43.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 81.5 | -81.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 15.8 | 487.9 | -472.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 204.9 | 2,458.9 | -2,254.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 47.3 | 209.4 | -162.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 157.6 | 2,029.8 | -1,872.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 0.0 | 219.6 | -219.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake City or St. Petersburg safer?
Lake City is safer with a total crime rate of 221 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 93% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake City has a violent crime rate of 15.8 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. Lake City has lower violent crime.
About Lake City, FL
Lake City, Florida, a North Florida town, was once known as "Bandana" for its Confederate sympathies. Situated at the intersection of I-75 and I-10, it's the county seat of Columbia County, home to over 60,000 residents. With a safety score of 99/100 and a population coverage of 12,691, Lake City has a total crime rate of 220.6 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.