Is Philadelphia or Santa Maria Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Maria is safer than Philadelphia (Safety Score 27/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,543 per 100,000 versus 5,458 for Philadelphia — 53% lower. Philadelphia has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Maria has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Philadelphia is 14.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Philadelphia — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Maria — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Philadelphia, PA
Santa Maria, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Philadelphia | Santa Maria | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,458.5 | 2,543.3 | +2,915.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.3 | 660.6 | +249.7 |
| Murder Rate | 16.9 | 2.7 | +14.2 |
| Rape Rate | 46.1 | 68.2 | -22.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 273.2 | 173.6 | +99.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 572.5 | 416.2 | +156.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,548.2 | 1,882.7 | +2,665.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 319.0 | 312.6 | +6.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,223.6 | 1,149.4 | +2,074.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,005.6 | 420.7 | +584.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Philadelphia or Santa Maria safer?
Santa Maria is safer with a total crime rate of 2,543 per 100K vs 5,458 for Philadelphia — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Philadelphia has a violent crime rate of 910.3 per 100K while Santa Maria has 660.6. Santa Maria has lower violent crime.
About Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, is Pennsylvania's largest city. Situated along the Delaware River, its diverse population contributes to a rich urban tapestry. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,549,259, Philadelphia has a total crime rate of 5,458.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Santa Maria, CA
Santa Maria, California, a city in northern Santa Barbara County, is known for its barbecue and wine industry. It is the most populous city in the county, with a diverse, predominantly Hispanic population. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 110,056, Santa Maria has a total crime rate of 2,543.3 per 100,000 residents.