Is Salt Lake City or Tacoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salt Lake City is safer than Tacoma (Safety Score 2/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 6,064 per 100,000 versus 6,667 for Tacoma — 9% lower. Salt Lake City has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Salt Lake City has a 47% lower rate.
Salt Lake City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tacoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salt Lake City, UT
Tacoma, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Salt Lake City | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 6,064.2 | 6,666.7 | -602.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 864.2 | 1,063.0 | -198.8 |
| Murder Rate | 5.2 | 9.8 | -4.7 |
| Rape Rate | 158.5 | 67.9 | +90.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 183.4 | 184.4 | -1.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 517.2 | 801.0 | -283.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,200.0 | 5,603.6 | -403.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 551.1 | 669.7 | -118.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 4,184.8 | 3,521.3 | +663.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 464.1 | 1,412.6 | -948.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salt Lake City or Tacoma safer?
Salt Lake City is safer with a total crime rate of 6,064 per 100K vs 6,667 for Tacoma — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Salt Lake City has a violent crime rate of 864.2 per 100K while Tacoma has 1,063.0. Salt Lake City has lower violent crime.
About Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City, founded by Brigham Young, serves as the global headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nestled against the Wasatch Mountains, it is Utah's most populous city with a diverse and growing tech industry. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 212,675, Salt Lake City has a total crime rate of 6,064.2 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.