Is Miami or Sarasota Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sarasota is safer than Miami (Safety Score 36/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 2,165 per 100,000 versus 3,469 for Miami — 38% lower. Miami has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Miami has a 49% lower rate.
Note: Miami is 7.9x 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
Sarasota — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Miami, FL
Sarasota, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Miami | Sarasota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,468.8 | 2,164.9 | +1,303.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 473.7 | 549.4 | -75.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 12.0 | -5.9 |
| Rape Rate | 23.5 | 39.4 | -15.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 95.4 | 85.6 | +9.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 348.4 | 412.5 | -64.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,995.1 | 1,615.6 | +1,379.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.3 | 246.4 | +47.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,290.4 | 1,358.8 | +931.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 410.3 | 10.3 | +400.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Miami or Sarasota safer?
Sarasota is safer with a total crime rate of 2,165 per 100K vs 3,469 for Miami — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Miami has a violent crime rate of 473.7 per 100K while Sarasota has 549.4. 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 Sarasota, FL
Sarasota, Florida, on the Gulf Coast, boasts Ringling Museum’s circus heritage. This city of over 50,000 residents is a popular snowbird destination. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 58,432, Sarasota has a total crime rate of 2,164.9 per 100,000 residents.