Is Seattle or Yakima Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Yakima is safer than Seattle (Safety Score 27/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,590 per 100,000 versus 5,783 for Seattle — 55% lower. Seattle has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Yakima has a 73% lower rate.
Note: Seattle is 7.9x 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
Yakima — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Seattle, WA
Yakima, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Seattle | Yakima | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,783.1 | 2,589.9 | +3,193.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 775.5 | 545.3 | +230.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.8 | 15.5 | -8.7 |
| Rape Rate | 46.3 | 37.3 | +9.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 220.6 | 59.0 | +161.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 501.3 | 432.5 | +68.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,007.6 | 2,044.6 | +2,963.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 1,152.0 | 354.9 | +797.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,882.0 | 1,411.3 | +1,470.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 973.6 | 278.3 | +695.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seattle or Yakima safer?
Yakima is safer with a total crime rate of 2,590 per 100K vs 5,783 for Seattle — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Seattle has a violent crime rate of 775.5 per 100K while Yakima has 545.3. Yakima 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 Yakima, WA
Yakima, nestled in a valley east of the Cascade Mountains, is known for its agricultural abundance, particularly apples. This city of roughly 97,000 residents is a hub for the surrounding fertile farmlands. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 96,646, Yakima has a total crime rate of 2,589.9 per 100,000 residents.