Is Lake Mary or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Mary is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 67/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,176 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 62% lower. Lake Mary has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Mary has a 100% lower rate.
Note: St. Petersburg is 15.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Mary — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Mary, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Mary | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,175.8 | 3,080.8 | -1,904.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 138.0 | 621.9 | -483.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.8 | -6.8 |
| Rape Rate | 24.0 | 43.4 | -19.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.0 | 81.5 | -75.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 108.0 | 487.9 | -380.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,037.9 | 2,458.9 | -1,421.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 138.0 | 209.4 | -71.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 875.9 | 2,029.8 | -1,153.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 24.0 | 219.6 | -195.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Mary or St. Petersburg safer?
Lake Mary is safer with a total crime rate of 1,176 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Mary has a violent crime rate of 138.0 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. Lake Mary has lower violent crime.
About Lake Mary, FL
Lake Mary, Florida, a affluent Seminole County suburb, was once a citrus and timber community. Its proximity to Orlando makes it a popular residential area. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 16,669, Lake Mary has a total crime rate of 1,175.8 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.