Is Lake City or Tampa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake City is safer than Tampa (Safety Score 99/100 vs 43/100), with a total crime rate of 221 per 100,000 versus 1,913 for Tampa — 88% 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: Tampa is 32.2x 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
Tampa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake City, FL
Tampa, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake City | Tampa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 220.6 | 1,912.7 | -1,692.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 15.8 | 447.3 | -431.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.8 | -8.8 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 41.9 | -41.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 59.0 | -59.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 15.8 | 335.0 | -319.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 204.9 | 1,465.3 | -1,260.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 47.3 | 167.4 | -120.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 157.6 | 1,154.5 | -997.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 0.0 | 143.4 | -143.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake City or Tampa safer?
Lake City is safer with a total crime rate of 221 per 100K vs 1,913 for Tampa — a 88% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake City has a violent crime rate of 15.8 per 100K while Tampa has 447.3. 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 Tampa, FL
Tampa, a Gulf Coast city, boasts a rich Cuban heritage from its cigar industry days. It's a diverse port city situated on Tampa Bay, with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 408,646, Tampa has a total crime rate of 1,912.7 per 100,000 residents.