Is Miami or West Palm Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Palm Beach is safer than Miami (Safety Score 24/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 2,714 per 100,000 versus 3,469 for Miami — 22% lower. Miami has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Miami has a 40% lower rate.
Note: Miami is 3.6x 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
West Palm Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Miami, FL
West Palm Beach, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Miami | West Palm Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,468.8 | 2,713.8 | +755.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 473.7 | 575.8 | -102.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 7.9 | -1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 23.5 | 59.3 | -35.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 95.4 | 159.0 | -63.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 348.4 | 349.6 | -1.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,995.1 | 2,138.0 | +857.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.3 | 307.7 | -13.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,290.4 | 1,801.8 | +488.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 410.3 | 28.5 | +381.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Miami or West Palm Beach safer?
West Palm Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 2,714 per 100K vs 3,469 for Miami — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Miami has a violent crime rate of 473.7 per 100K while West Palm Beach has 575.8. 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 West Palm Beach, FL
West Palm Beach, separated from Palm Beach by the Intracoastal Waterway, was founded by Henry Flagler to house railroad workers. This city in Palm Beach County is a diverse urban center with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 126,427, West Palm Beach has a total crime rate of 2,713.8 per 100,000 residents.