Is Olympia or Tacoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Olympia is safer than Tacoma (Safety Score 9/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,000 per 100,000 versus 6,667 for Tacoma — 40% lower. Olympia has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Olympia has a 47% lower rate.
Note: Tacoma is 4.0x 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
Tacoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Olympia, WA
Tacoma, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Olympia | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,000.0 | 6,666.7 | -2,666.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 564.8 | 1,063.0 | -498.3 |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 9.8 | -2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 62.8 | 67.9 | -5.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 109.4 | 184.4 | -75.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 385.5 | 801.0 | -415.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,435.2 | 5,603.6 | -2,168.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 568.4 | 669.7 | -101.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,495.7 | 3,521.3 | -1,025.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 371.1 | 1,412.6 | -1,041.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Olympia or Tacoma safer?
Olympia is safer with a total crime rate of 4,000 per 100K vs 6,667 for Tacoma — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Olympia has a violent crime rate of 564.8 per 100K while Tacoma has 1,063.0. 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 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.