Is Pullman or Spokane Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Pullman is safer than Spokane (Safety Score 77/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 952 per 100,000 versus 5,518 for Spokane — 83% lower. Pullman has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Pullman has a 96% lower rate.
Note: Spokane is 6.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Pullman — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Spokane — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pullman, WA
Spokane, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Pullman | Spokane | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 951.5 | 5,518.3 | -4,566.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 129.9 | 677.5 | -547.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.0 | 7.0 | -0.9 |
| Rape Rate | 42.3 | 76.7 | -34.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.0 | 145.1 | -139.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 75.5 | 446.1 | -370.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 821.6 | 4,840.8 | -4,019.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 151.0 | 646.5 | -495.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 637.4 | 3,668.8 | -3,031.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 33.2 | 525.4 | -492.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pullman or Spokane safer?
Pullman is safer with a total crime rate of 952 per 100K vs 5,518 for Spokane — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Pullman has a violent crime rate of 129.9 per 100K while Spokane has 677.5. Pullman has lower violent crime.
About Pullman, WA
Pullman, home to Washington State University, sits in the Palouse region, characterized by rolling hills of wheat fields. Its population is notably young, with a median age around 22. With a safety score of 77/100 and a population coverage of 33,105, Pullman has a total crime rate of 951.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Spokane, WA
Spokane, the "Lilac City," sits on the Spokane River in Eastern Washington, near the Idaho border. Home to Fairchild Air Force Base, its population is around 229,000. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 229,529, Spokane has a total crime rate of 5,518.3 per 100,000 residents.