Is Olympia or Spokane Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Olympia is safer than Spokane (Safety Score 9/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,000 per 100,000 versus 5,518 for Spokane — 28% lower. Olympia has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Olympia has a 29% lower rate.
Note: Spokane is 4.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Olympia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Spokane — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Olympia, WA
Spokane, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Olympia | Spokane | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,000.0 | 5,518.3 | -1,518.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 564.8 | 677.5 | -112.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 7.0 | +0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 62.8 | 76.7 | -13.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 109.4 | 145.1 | -35.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 385.5 | 446.1 | -60.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,435.2 | 4,840.8 | -1,405.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 568.4 | 646.5 | -78.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,495.7 | 3,668.8 | -1,173.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 371.1 | 525.4 | -154.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Olympia or Spokane safer?
Olympia is safer with a total crime rate of 4,000 per 100K vs 5,518 for Spokane — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Olympia has a violent crime rate of 564.8 per 100K while Spokane has 677.5. Olympia has lower violent crime.
About Olympia, WA
Olympia, Washington, the state capital, sits at the southern tip of Puget Sound. Known for its vibrant arts scene and Evergreen State College, it has a population of around 55,000. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 55,775, Olympia has a total crime rate of 4,000.0 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.