Is Lake Wales or Tampa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Wales is safer than Tampa (Safety Score 47/100 vs 43/100), with a total crime rate of 1,772 per 100,000 versus 1,913 for Tampa — 7% lower. Lake Wales has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Wales has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Tampa is 24.3x 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
Tampa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Wales, FL
Tampa, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Wales | Tampa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,772.4 | 1,912.7 | -140.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 243.9 | 447.3 | -203.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.8 | -8.8 |
| Rape Rate | 23.8 | 41.9 | -18.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.8 | 59.0 | -41.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 202.2 | 335.0 | -132.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,528.6 | 1,465.3 | +63.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 190.3 | 167.4 | +23.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,189.6 | 1,154.5 | +35.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 148.7 | 143.4 | +5.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Wales or Tampa safer?
Lake Wales is safer with a total crime rate of 1,772 per 100K vs 1,913 for Tampa — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Wales has a violent crime rate of 243.9 per 100K while Tampa has 447.3. 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 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.