Is Oak Harbor or Tacoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Oak Harbor is safer than Tacoma (Safety Score 75/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 991 per 100,000 versus 6,667 for Tacoma — 85% lower. Oak Harbor has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Oak Harbor has a 98% lower rate.
Note: Tacoma is 9.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Oak Harbor — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tacoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Oak Harbor, WA
Tacoma, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Oak Harbor | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 990.9 | 6,666.7 | -5,675.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 113.4 | 1,063.0 | -949.7 |
| Murder Rate | 4.2 | 9.8 | -5.6 |
| Rape Rate | 33.6 | 67.9 | -34.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 4.2 | 184.4 | -180.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 71.4 | 801.0 | -729.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 877.5 | 5,603.6 | -4,726.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 113.4 | 669.7 | -556.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 629.8 | 3,521.3 | -2,891.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 134.4 | 1,412.6 | -1,278.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oak Harbor or Tacoma safer?
Oak Harbor is safer with a total crime rate of 991 per 100K vs 6,667 for Tacoma — a 85% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Oak Harbor has a violent crime rate of 113.4 per 100K while Tacoma has 1,063.0. Oak Harbor has lower violent crime.
About Oak Harbor, WA
Oak Harbor, on Whidbey Island, is home to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, a significant employer. Its population of around 25,000 enjoys proximity to Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 23,817, Oak Harbor has a total crime rate of 990.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Tacoma, WA
Tacoma, nestled on Commencement Bay, boasts a rich industrial past, once a major port for timber and rail. Today, this diverse city, home to over 200,000 residents, features a vibrant arts scene and stunning views of Mount Rainier. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 223,980, Tacoma has a total crime rate of 6,666.7 per 100,000 residents.