Is Pullman or Tacoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Pullman is safer than Tacoma (Safety Score 77/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 952 per 100,000 versus 6,667 for Tacoma — 86% lower. Pullman has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Pullman has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Tacoma is 6.8x 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
Tacoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pullman, WA
Tacoma, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Pullman | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 951.5 | 6,666.7 | -5,715.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 129.9 | 1,063.0 | -933.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.0 | 9.8 | -3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 42.3 | 67.9 | -25.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.0 | 184.4 | -178.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 75.5 | 801.0 | -725.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 821.6 | 5,603.6 | -4,782.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 151.0 | 669.7 | -518.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 637.4 | 3,521.3 | -2,883.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 33.2 | 1,412.6 | -1,379.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pullman or Tacoma safer?
Pullman is safer with a total crime rate of 952 per 100K vs 6,667 for Tacoma — a 86% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Pullman has a violent crime rate of 129.9 per 100K while Tacoma has 1,063.0. 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 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.