Is Pittsburgh or Swatara Township Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pittsburgh is safer than Swatara Township (Safety Score 24/100 vs 21/100), with a total crime rate of 2,709 per 100,000 versus 2,916 for Swatara Township — 7% lower. Pittsburgh has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Swatara Township has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Pittsburgh is 10.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Pittsburgh — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Swatara Township — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pittsburgh, PA
Swatara Township, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Pittsburgh | Swatara Township | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,708.6 | 2,915.6 | -207.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 428.5 | 153.1 | +275.4 |
| Murder Rate | 11.4 | 3.4 | +8.0 |
| Rape Rate | 51.7 | 13.6 | +38.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 124.2 | 47.6 | +76.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 239.9 | 88.5 | +151.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,280.1 | 2,762.5 | -482.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 232.7 | 136.1 | +96.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,704.4 | 2,391.6 | -687.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 343.0 | 234.7 | +108.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pittsburgh or Swatara Township safer?
Pittsburgh is safer with a total crime rate of 2,709 per 100K vs 2,916 for Swatara Township — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Pittsburgh has a violent crime rate of 428.5 per 100K while Swatara Township has 153.1. Swatara Township 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 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.