Is Panama City or Tampa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Tampa is safer than Panama City (Safety Score 43/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 1,913 per 100,000 versus 2,838 for Panama City — 33% lower. Panama City has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Panama City has a 58% lower rate.
Note: Tampa is 11.2x 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
Tampa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Panama City, FL
Tampa, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Panama City | Tampa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,838.0 | 1,912.7 | +925.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 649.5 | 447.3 | +202.1 |
| Murder Rate | 8.2 | 8.8 | -0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 57.3 | 41.9 | +15.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 24.6 | 59.0 | -34.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 559.4 | 335.0 | +224.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,188.5 | 1,465.3 | +723.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 401.1 | 167.4 | +233.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,681.0 | 1,154.5 | +526.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 106.4 | 143.4 | -37.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panama City or Tampa safer?
Tampa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,913 per 100K vs 2,838 for Panama City — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Panama City has a violent crime rate of 649.5 per 100K while Tampa has 447.3. Tampa 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 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.