Is Palm Bay or Tampa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palm Bay is safer than Tampa (Safety Score 61/100 vs 43/100), with a total crime rate of 1,365 per 100,000 versus 1,913 for Tampa — 29% lower. Palm Bay has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Palm Bay has a 31% lower rate.
Note: Tampa is 2.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Palm Bay — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tampa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Palm Bay, FL
Tampa, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Palm Bay | Tampa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,365.3 | 1,912.7 | -547.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 347.9 | 447.3 | -99.4 |
| Murder Rate | 7.8 | 8.8 | -1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 47.5 | 41.9 | +5.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 51.7 | 59.0 | -7.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 240.2 | 335.0 | -94.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,017.5 | 1,465.3 | -447.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 229.6 | 167.4 | +62.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 724.8 | 1,154.5 | -429.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 63.1 | 143.4 | -80.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palm Bay or Tampa safer?
Palm Bay is safer with a total crime rate of 1,365 per 100K vs 1,913 for Tampa — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Palm Bay has a violent crime rate of 347.9 per 100K while Tampa has 447.3. 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 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.