Is Moses Lake or Spokane Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Moses Lake is safer than Spokane (Safety Score 5/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,631 per 100,000 versus 5,518 for Spokane — 16% lower. Moses Lake has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Spokane has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Spokane is 8.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Moses Lake — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Spokane — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Moses Lake, WA
Spokane, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Moses Lake | Spokane | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,631.2 | 5,518.3 | -887.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 394.4 | 677.5 | -283.1 |
| Murder Rate | 22.5 | 7.0 | +15.6 |
| Rape Rate | 22.5 | 76.7 | -54.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 78.9 | 145.1 | -66.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 270.4 | 446.1 | -175.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,236.8 | 4,840.8 | -604.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 612.2 | 646.5 | -34.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,444.3 | 3,668.8 | -224.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 180.3 | 525.4 | -345.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moses Lake or Spokane safer?
Moses Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 4,631 per 100K vs 5,518 for Spokane — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Moses Lake has a violent crime rate of 394.4 per 100K while Spokane has 677.5. Moses Lake has lower violent crime.
About Moses Lake, WA
Moses Lake, a city in Grant County, Washington, is named for a lake formed by the Columbia Basin Project. The area is known for its agricultural roots and draws a diverse population, including a significant Hispanic community. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 26,624, Moses Lake has a total crime rate of 4,631.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Spokane, WA
Spokane, the "Lilac City," sits on the Spokane River in Eastern Washington, near the Idaho border. Home to Fairchild Air Force Base, its population is around 229,000. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 229,529, Spokane has a total crime rate of 5,518.3 per 100,000 residents.