Is Sanford or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sanford is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 23/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,795 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 9% lower. Sanford has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
Note: St. Petersburg is 4.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Sanford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sanford, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Sanford | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,795.2 | 3,080.8 | -285.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 542.6 | 621.9 | -79.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.0 | 6.8 | -0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 40.4 | 43.4 | -3.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 92.7 | 81.5 | +11.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 403.6 | 487.9 | -84.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,252.6 | 2,458.9 | -206.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 261.6 | 209.4 | +52.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,790.7 | 2,029.8 | -239.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 200.3 | 219.6 | -19.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sanford or St. Petersburg safer?
Sanford is safer with a total crime rate of 2,795 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Sanford has a violent crime rate of 542.6 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. Sanford has lower violent crime.
About Sanford, FL
Sanford, "The Historic Waterfront Gateway," sits on the southern shore of Lake Monroe. Once a major celery producer, the city boasts a vibrant downtown and a diverse population of over 60,000 residents. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 66,900, Sanford has a total crime rate of 2,795.2 per 100,000 residents.
About St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg, Florida, known as the "Sunshine City," boasts a vibrant arts scene and beautiful waterfront parks along Tampa Bay. It is part of the Tampa Bay Area, a major metropolitan region on Florida's Gulf Coast. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 264,999, St. Petersburg has a total crime rate of 3,080.8 per 100,000 residents.