Is Miami or Sanford Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sanford is safer than Miami (Safety Score 23/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 2,795 per 100,000 versus 3,469 for Miami — 19% lower. Miami has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Sanford has a 25% lower rate.
Note: Miami is 6.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Miami — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sanford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Miami, FL
Sanford, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Miami | Sanford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,468.8 | 2,795.2 | +673.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 473.7 | 542.6 | -68.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 6.0 | +0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 23.5 | 40.4 | -16.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 95.4 | 92.7 | +2.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 348.4 | 403.6 | -55.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,995.1 | 2,252.6 | +742.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.3 | 261.6 | +32.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,290.4 | 1,790.7 | +499.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 410.3 | 200.3 | +210.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Miami or Sanford safer?
Sanford is safer with a total crime rate of 2,795 per 100K vs 3,469 for Miami — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Miami has a violent crime rate of 473.7 per 100K while Sanford has 542.6. Miami has lower violent crime.
About Miami, FL
Miami, a vibrant South Florida metropolis, thrives as a major port city with a large Cuban-American population. Its unique blend of Caribbean and Latin American influences, evident in its art and music, is shaped by its subtropical climate and coastal location. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 460,392, Miami has a total crime rate of 3,468.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Sanford, FL
Sanford, "The Historic Waterfront Gateway," sits on the southern shore of Lake Monroe. Once a major celery producer, the city boasts a vibrant downtown and a diverse population of over 60,000 residents. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 66,900, Sanford has a total crime rate of 2,795.2 per 100,000 residents.