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Pittsburgh vs Scranton Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Pittsburgh crime rate · Scranton crime rate

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Is Pittsburgh or Scranton Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Scranton is safer than Pittsburgh (Safety Score 52/100 vs 24/100), with a total crime rate of 1,627 per 100,000 versus 2,709 for Pittsburgh — 40% lower. Pittsburgh has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Scranton has a 74% lower rate.

Note: Pittsburgh is 4.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Pittsburgh, PA?

Pittsburgh — 4-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Flat Total

Scranton — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh, PA
Safety Score 24/100
Coverage 317,177
Total Crime Rate 2,708.6
Category Wins 0/7

Scranton, PA

Scranton, PA
Safety Score 52/100
Coverage 75,683
Total Crime Rate 1,626.5
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Pittsburgh Scranton Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,708.6 1,626.5 +1,082.1
Violent Crime Rate 428.5 281.4 +147.0
Murder Rate 11.4 9.3 +2.1
Rape Rate 51.7 92.5 -40.8
Robbery Rate 124.2 31.7 +92.5
Aggravated Assault Rate 239.9 148.0 +91.9
Property Crime Rate 2,280.1 1,345.1 +935.0
Burglary Rate 232.7 192.9 +39.8
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,704.4 1,022.7 +681.7
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 343.0 129.5 +213.5

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Pittsburgh, PA to Scranton, PA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pittsburgh or Scranton safer?

Scranton is safer with a total crime rate of 1,627 per 100K vs 2,709 for Pittsburgh — a 40% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Pittsburgh has a violent crime rate of 428.5 per 100K while Scranton has 281.4. Scranton has lower violent crime.

About Pittsburgh, PA

Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains where three rivers meet, Pittsburgh is a city of bridges and former steel mills. Its rich industrial past shaped its distinct neighborhoods and resilient, diverse population. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 317,177, Pittsburgh has a total crime rate of 2,708.6 per 100,000 residents.

About Scranton, PA

Scranton, once a booming hub of the anthracite coal industry, is the largest city in northeastern Pennsylvania. Nestled in the Lackawanna River valley, its population is predominantly white, with a growing Hispanic community. With a safety score of 52/100 and a population coverage of 75,683, Scranton has a total crime rate of 1,626.5 per 100,000 residents.

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