Is Seattle or Vancouver Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Vancouver is safer than Seattle (Safety Score 9/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,991 per 100,000 versus 5,783 for Seattle — 31% lower. Seattle has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Vancouver has a 45% lower rate.
Note: Seattle is 3.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Seattle — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Vancouver — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Seattle, WA
Vancouver, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Seattle | Vancouver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,783.1 | 3,991.0 | +1,792.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 775.5 | 583.8 | +191.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.8 | 5.6 | +1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 46.3 | 61.6 | -15.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 220.6 | 122.1 | +98.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 501.3 | 393.1 | +108.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,007.6 | 3,407.3 | +1,600.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 1,152.0 | 469.2 | +682.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,882.0 | 2,341.1 | +540.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 973.6 | 596.9 | +376.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seattle or Vancouver safer?
Vancouver is safer with a total crime rate of 3,991 per 100K vs 5,783 for Seattle — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Seattle has a violent crime rate of 775.5 per 100K while Vancouver has 583.8. Vancouver has lower violent crime.
About Seattle, WA
Seattle, a major port city in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its vibrant music scene, particularly grunge, which emerged here. Situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it’s home to a diverse population with a strong tech industry presence. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 760,058, Seattle has a total crime rate of 5,783.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Vancouver, WA
Vancouver, Washington, across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, is the fourth-largest city in Washington. It was the site of Fort Vancouver, a major 19th-century fur trading post. The city has seen significant growth, with a population over 190,000. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 198,194, Vancouver has a total crime rate of 3,991.0 per 100,000 residents.