Is Sarasota or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sarasota is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 36/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,165 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 30% lower. Sarasota has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where St. Petersburg has a 43% lower rate.
Note: St. Petersburg is 4.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Sarasota — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sarasota, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Sarasota | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,164.9 | 3,080.8 | -915.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 549.4 | 621.9 | -72.5 |
| Murder Rate | 12.0 | 6.8 | +5.2 |
| Rape Rate | 39.4 | 43.4 | -4.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.6 | 81.5 | +4.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 412.5 | 487.9 | -75.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,615.6 | 2,458.9 | -843.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 246.4 | 209.4 | +37.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,358.8 | 2,029.8 | -671.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 10.3 | 219.6 | -209.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sarasota or St. Petersburg safer?
Sarasota is safer with a total crime rate of 2,165 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Sarasota has a violent crime rate of 549.4 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. Sarasota has lower violent crime.
About Sarasota, FL
Sarasota, Florida, on the Gulf Coast, boasts Ringling Museum’s circus heritage. This city of over 50,000 residents is a popular snowbird destination. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 58,432, Sarasota has a total crime rate of 2,164.9 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.