Is Palatka or Tampa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Tampa is safer than Palatka (Safety Score 43/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,913 per 100,000 versus 4,003 for Palatka — 52% lower. Palatka has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Palatka has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Tampa is 37.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Palatka — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tampa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Palatka, FL
Tampa, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Palatka | Tampa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,003.3 | 1,912.7 | +2,090.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 268.1 | 447.3 | -179.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.8 | -8.8 |
| Rape Rate | 9.3 | 41.9 | -32.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 27.7 | 59.0 | -31.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 231.1 | 335.0 | -103.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,735.2 | 1,465.3 | +2,269.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 203.4 | 167.4 | +36.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,430.1 | 1,154.5 | +2,275.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 101.7 | 143.4 | -41.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palatka or Tampa safer?
Tampa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,913 per 100K vs 4,003 for Palatka — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Palatka has a violent crime rate of 268.1 per 100K while Tampa has 447.3. Palatka has lower violent crime.
About Palatka, FL
Palatka, a city on the St. Johns River, was once a major steamboat stop. It's the county seat of Putnam County, with a diverse, working-class population. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 10,816, Palatka has a total crime rate of 4,003.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Tampa, FL
Tampa, a Gulf Coast city, boasts a rich Cuban heritage from its cigar industry days. It's a diverse port city situated on Tampa Bay, with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 408,646, Tampa has a total crime rate of 1,912.7 per 100,000 residents.