Moving from Port Townsend, WA to Tacoma, WA?
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.
Is Port Townsend or Tacoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Port Townsend is safer than Tacoma (Safety Score 44/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 1,884 per 100,000 versus 6,667 for Tacoma — 72% lower. Port Townsend has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Port Townsend has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Tacoma is 21.1x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Port Townsend, WA?
Port Townsend — 3-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tacoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Port Townsend, WA
Tacoma, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Port Townsend | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,884.3 | 6,666.7 | -4,782.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 471.1 | 1,063.0 | -592.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 9.8 | -9.8 |
| Rape Rate | 37.7 | 67.9 | -30.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 28.3 | 184.4 | -156.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 405.1 | 801.0 | -395.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,413.2 | 5,603.6 | -4,190.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 169.6 | 669.7 | -500.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,177.7 | 3,521.3 | -2,343.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 66.0 | 1,412.6 | -1,346.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Port Townsend, WA to Tacoma, WA?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Port Townsend or Tacoma safer?
Port Townsend is safer with a total crime rate of 1,884 per 100K vs 6,667 for Tacoma — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Port Townsend has a violent crime rate of 471.1 per 100K while Tacoma has 1,063.0. Port Townsend has lower violent crime.
About Port Townsend, WA
Port Townsend, a Victorian seaport on the Olympic Peninsula, is home to many artists and retirees. Its historic downtown, a National Historic Landmark, features well-preserved 19th-century architecture. With a safety score of 44/100 and a population coverage of 10,614, Port Townsend has a total crime rate of 1,884.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Tacoma, WA
Tacoma, nestled on Commencement Bay, boasts a rich industrial past, once a major port for timber and rail. Today, this diverse city, home to over 200,000 residents, features a vibrant arts scene and stunning views of Mount Rainier. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 223,980, Tacoma has a total crime rate of 6,666.7 per 100,000 residents.