Is Philadelphia or Swatara Township Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Swatara Township is safer than Philadelphia (Safety Score 21/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,916 per 100,000 versus 5,458 for Philadelphia — 47% lower. Philadelphia has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Swatara Township has a 83% lower rate.
Note: Philadelphia is 52.7x 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
Swatara Township — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Philadelphia, PA
Swatara Township, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Philadelphia | Swatara Township | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,458.5 | 2,915.6 | +2,542.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.3 | 153.1 | +757.2 |
| Murder Rate | 16.9 | 3.4 | +13.5 |
| Rape Rate | 46.1 | 13.6 | +32.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 273.2 | 47.6 | +225.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 572.5 | 88.5 | +484.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,548.2 | 2,762.5 | +1,785.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 319.0 | 136.1 | +182.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,223.6 | 2,391.6 | +832.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,005.6 | 234.7 | +770.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Philadelphia or Swatara Township safer?
Swatara Township is safer with a total crime rate of 2,916 per 100K vs 5,458 for Philadelphia — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Philadelphia has a violent crime rate of 910.3 per 100K while Swatara Township has 153.1. Swatara Township 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 Swatara Township, PA
Swatara Township, located in Dauphin County, is a diverse suburban community bordering Harrisburg. Home to the National Civil War Museum, it's traversed by major routes like I-81 and US-322. Its population is approximately 23,000. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 29,394, Swatara Township has a total crime rate of 2,915.6 per 100,000 residents.