Is Palm Bay or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palm Bay is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 61/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,365 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 56% lower. Palm Bay has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Palm Bay has a 59% lower rate.
Palm Bay — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Palm Bay, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Palm Bay | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,365.3 | 3,080.8 | -1,715.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 347.9 | 621.9 | -274.0 |
| Murder Rate | 7.8 | 6.8 | +1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 47.5 | 43.4 | +4.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 51.7 | 81.5 | -29.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 240.2 | 487.9 | -247.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,017.5 | 2,458.9 | -1,441.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 229.6 | 209.4 | +20.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 724.8 | 2,029.8 | -1,305.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 63.1 | 219.6 | -156.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palm Bay or St. Petersburg safer?
Palm Bay is safer with a total crime rate of 1,365 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Palm Bay has a violent crime rate of 347.9 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. Palm Bay has lower violent crime.
About Palm Bay, FL
Palm Bay, a sprawling city on Florida's Space Coast, began as Tillman and grew significantly after being marketed by General Development Corporation. Its diverse population, largely residential, stretches across a low-lying, wooded landscape along the Indian River Lagoon. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 141,137, Palm Bay has a total crime rate of 1,365.3 per 100,000 residents.
About St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg, Florida, known as the "Sunshine City," boasts a vibrant arts scene and beautiful waterfront parks along Tampa Bay. It is part of the Tampa Bay Area, a major metropolitan region on Florida's Gulf Coast. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 264,999, St. Petersburg has a total crime rate of 3,080.8 per 100,000 residents.