Is Lake Wales or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Wales is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 47/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,772 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 42% lower. Lake Wales has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Wales has a 100% lower rate.
Note: St. Petersburg is 15.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Wales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Wales, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Wales | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,772.4 | 3,080.8 | -1,308.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 243.9 | 621.9 | -378.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.8 | -6.8 |
| Rape Rate | 23.8 | 43.4 | -19.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.8 | 81.5 | -63.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 202.2 | 487.9 | -285.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,528.6 | 2,458.9 | -930.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 190.3 | 209.4 | -19.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,189.6 | 2,029.8 | -840.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 148.7 | 219.6 | -70.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Wales or St. Petersburg safer?
Lake Wales is safer with a total crime rate of 1,772 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Wales has a violent crime rate of 243.9 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. Lake Wales has lower violent crime.
About Lake Wales, FL
Lake Wales, home to Bok Tower Gardens, sits in Polk County, Florida. This city in the geographic center of the state has a population of around 17,000. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 16,813, Lake Wales has a total crime rate of 1,772.4 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.