Is Lake Stevens or Tacoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Stevens is safer than Tacoma (Safety Score 83/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 766 per 100,000 versus 6,667 for Tacoma — 89% lower. Lake Stevens has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Stevens has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Tacoma is 5.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Stevens — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tacoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Stevens, WA
Tacoma, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Stevens | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 765.9 | 6,666.7 | -5,900.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 117.1 | 1,063.0 | -946.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 9.8 | -9.8 |
| Rape Rate | 34.2 | 67.9 | -33.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.1 | 184.4 | -167.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 65.9 | 801.0 | -735.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 648.8 | 5,603.6 | -4,954.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 53.7 | 669.7 | -616.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 504.9 | 3,521.3 | -3,016.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 90.2 | 1,412.6 | -1,322.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Stevens or Tacoma safer?
Lake Stevens is safer with a total crime rate of 766 per 100K vs 6,667 for Tacoma — a 89% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Stevens has a violent crime rate of 117.1 per 100K while Tacoma has 1,063.0. Lake Stevens has lower violent crime.
About Lake Stevens, WA
Lake Stevens, a city named for Isaac Stevens, first governor of Washington Territory, sits on the largest lake in Snohomish County. This community, home to over 36,000 residents, is bordered by the Snohomish River to the south. With a safety score of 83/100 and a population coverage of 41,000, Lake Stevens has a total crime rate of 765.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Tacoma, WA
Tacoma, nestled on Commencement Bay, boasts a rich industrial past, once a major port for timber and rail. Today, this diverse city, home to over 200,000 residents, features a vibrant arts scene and stunning views of Mount Rainier. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 223,980, Tacoma has a total crime rate of 6,666.7 per 100,000 residents.