Is Seattle or Yelm Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Yelm is safer than Seattle (Safety Score 36/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,153 per 100,000 versus 5,783 for Seattle — 63% lower. Seattle has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Yelm has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Seattle is 70.2x 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
Yelm — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Seattle, WA
Yelm, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Seattle | Yelm | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,783.1 | 2,153.4 | +3,629.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 775.5 | 277.3 | +498.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.8 | 0.0 | +6.8 |
| Rape Rate | 46.3 | 64.7 | -18.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 220.6 | 27.7 | +192.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 501.3 | 184.8 | +316.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,007.6 | 1,876.2 | +3,131.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 1,152.0 | 286.5 | +865.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,882.0 | 1,478.7 | +1,403.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 973.6 | 110.9 | +862.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seattle or Yelm safer?
Yelm is safer with a total crime rate of 2,153 per 100K vs 5,783 for Seattle — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Seattle has a violent crime rate of 775.5 per 100K while Yelm has 277.3. Yelm 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 Yelm, WA
Yelm, a small city in Thurston County, is known for its rural character and views of Mount Rainier. Historically a logging and agricultural hub, it has seen a recent population increase, drawing new residents to its quiet, forested surroundings. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 10,820, Yelm has a total crime rate of 2,153.4 per 100,000 residents.