Is Panama City or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Panama City is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 22/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,838 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 8% lower. Panama City has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Panama City has a 70% lower rate.
Note: St. Petersburg is 7.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Panama City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Panama City, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Panama City | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,838.0 | 3,080.8 | -242.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 649.5 | 621.9 | +27.6 |
| Murder Rate | 8.2 | 6.8 | +1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 57.3 | 43.4 | +13.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 24.6 | 81.5 | -57.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 559.4 | 487.9 | +71.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,188.5 | 2,458.9 | -270.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 401.1 | 209.4 | +191.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,681.0 | 2,029.8 | -348.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 106.4 | 219.6 | -113.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panama City or St. Petersburg safer?
Panama City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,838 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Panama City has a violent crime rate of 649.5 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. St. Petersburg has lower violent crime.
About Panama City, FL
Panama City, Florida, a popular tourist destination, sits on St. Andrew Bay, connecting to the Gulf of Mexico. Its economy heavily relies on tourism, fishing, and Tyndall Air Force Base, a significant local employer. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 36,646, Panama City has a total crime rate of 2,838.0 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.